美國海軍啟動MQ-25A「魟魚」艦載無人加油機「初期低量生產」

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MQ-25A「魟魚」艦載無人加油機（圖片取自DVIDS網站）

美國海軍已授予波音（Boeing）一紙價值5.62億美元、約新臺幣179億元的合約，正式啟動MQ-25A「魟魚」（Stingray）艦載無人加油機「初期低量生產」（Low-Rate Initial Production，LRIP），代表該型無人載具距離正式部署服役再邁進關鍵一步。

The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a $562 million contract, approximately NT$17.9 billion, to formally begin Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling aircraft. The contract marks a key step toward the system’s eventual operational deployment.

首批採購3架　提前籌獲第二批關鍵零組件

First Three Aircraft Ordered as Long-Lead Components Are Procured for the Next Batch

美國海軍部長高雄（Hung Cao）5月宣布批准MQ-25A進入LRIP後，於本月14日進一步證實，海軍已正式授予波音相關生產合約，負責採購首批3架MQ-25A，同時提前取得第二批3架所需的長交期零組件，以維持後續生產進度。

Following Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao’s announcement in May approving the MQ-25A’s transition into LRIP, the Navy confirmed on the 14th that it had awarded Boeing the production contract. The agreement covers the first three MQ-25As while also procuring long-lead components in advance for the following three aircraft to help maintain production momentum.

依照目前規劃，首批量產型MQ-25A預計自2029年開始交付。隨著LRIP正式啟動，MQ-25A將逐步從測試與研發階段邁向實際部署，也將成為美國海軍航空兵力推動無人化的重要里程碑。

Under the current schedule, deliveries of the first production MQ-25As are expected to begin in 2029. With LRIP now underway, the Stingray will progressively transition from development and testing toward operational deployment, marking an important milestone in the U.S. Navy’s effort to expand unmanned capabilities within naval aviation.

926公里外送6.3噸燃料　延伸艦載機作戰半徑

Delivering 6.3 Tons of Fuel over 926 Kilometers to Extend Carrier Air Wing Reach

MQ-25A的主要任務是為美國海軍艦載戰機執行空中加油，可在距離母艦約926公里的範圍內運送1.4萬磅、約6.3噸燃料，藉此延長艦載機滯空時間與任務航程，進一步擴大航艦航空聯隊的作戰範圍。

The MQ-25A’s primary mission is to provide aerial refueling for U.S. Navy carrier-based aircraft. It is designed to deliver 14,000 pounds, or approximately 6.3 tons, of fuel at a range of up to 926 kilometers from the carrier, extending the endurance and mission range of carrier aircraft and expanding the operational reach of the carrier air wing.

MQ-25A服役後，也可釋放目前由F/A-18E/F「超級大黃蜂」（Super Hornet）執行的「夥伴加油」（buddy tanking）任務，使這些有人戰機能夠回歸空戰、對地打擊等核心作戰任務。透過無人加油機承擔支援角色，美軍可望提高艦載航空兵力的整體運用效率。

Once operational, the MQ-25A will also take over the buddy-tanking role currently performed by F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, allowing those manned fighters to focus on core missions such as air combat and ground attack. By assigning the support mission to an unmanned tanker, the Navy can improve the overall utilization of its carrier air wing.

不只空中加油　兼具情監偵與感測任務彈性

Beyond Refueling: Additional ISR and Sensor Missions

除了空中加油外，MQ-25A也可搭載機載信號情報（SIGINT）、光電等感測器，協助執行情監偵（ISR）任務，使其不再侷限於單純的空中加油平台。透過不同任務系統與感測器配置，MQ-25A可依照作戰需求執行多元化任務。

Beyond aerial refueling, the MQ-25A can also employ sensors such as airborne signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electro-optical systems to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. This gives the aircraft capabilities beyond its primary tanker role and allows it to perform additional missions depending on operational requirements.

這種「加油＋感測」的多任務設計，也使MQ-25A具備更高的作業彈性，未來可依照航艦航空聯隊任務需求調整運用方式，在支援有人戰機的同時提供額外的情監偵能力。

This multi-mission approach combining refueling and sensing provides the MQ-25A with greater operational flexibility. Its employment can be adapted to carrier air wing requirements, allowing it to support manned aircraft while also contributing additional ISR capabilities.

全案規劃76架　持續透過測試機驗證作戰能量

Program Calls for 76 Aircraft as Testing Continues

美國海軍目前規劃採購總計76架MQ-25A，其中67架為正式投入作戰部署的量產型機體，另有9架作為測試用途。目前已有7架測試機正在生產，持續進行各項測試與驗證工作，為後續量產型機隊建造奠定基礎。

The U.S. Navy currently plans to procure a total of 76 MQ-25As, including 67 production aircraft intended for operational deployment and nine test aircraft. Seven test aircraft are currently in production and will continue supporting testing and validation of the system’s capabilities ahead of full production.

隨著首批3架量產型MQ-25A正式進入LRIP，以及第二批長交期零組件同步提前籌獲，美國海軍正逐步建立從測試、生產到部署的完整量能。未來MQ-25A正式成軍後，將透過無人空中加油能力延伸航艦航空聯隊的作戰半徑，並為美國海軍進一步發展有人／無人協同航空戰力提供基礎。

With the first three production MQ-25As now entering LRIP and long-lead components for the second batch being procured in advance, the U.S. Navy is gradually establishing a complete pathway from testing and production to operational deployment. Once fully operational, the MQ-25A will extend the carrier air wing’s operational reach through unmanned aerial refueling while providing a foundation for broader manned-unmanned teaming in naval aviation.