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Navy Successfully Tests $209 Million Stingray Refueling Drone

Navy Successfully Tests $209 Million Stingray Refueling Drone

The U.S. Navy has successfully completed the first test flight of its new MQ-25A Stingray refueling drone. This unmanned aircraft, built by Boeing, represents the Navy's first carrier-based drone designed to extend the operational range of crewed fighters and aircraft. The Stingray, costing approximately $209 million per unit, is part of a $16 billion investment by the Navy. The successful test marks a significant milestone in the drone's development, which has faced delays. The Stingray is expected to enter service in 2027, enhancing the Navy's capabilities in military operations.
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Castelion Secures $105 Million Contract for Hypersonic Weapon Integration

Castelion Secures $105 Million Contract for Hypersonic Weapon Integration

Castelion, a defense startup, has been awarded a $105 million contract by the U.S. Navy to continue the development and integration of its Blackbeard hypersonic strike weapon on the F/A-18 aircraft. The contract includes system safety assessments, flight trials, and hardware and software integration. Castelion aims to achieve Early Operational Capability for the weapon by 2027. This contract builds on a previous $49.9 million award to advance Blackbeard from prototype to initial capability. The company is also investing in a large-scale production facility in New Mexico to support hypersonic munitions production.
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Echodyne's Radar System Selected for Trust Automation's Unmanned Air Defense

Echodyne's Radar System Selected for Trust Automation's Unmanned Air Defense

Echodyne has been announced as the primary radar system provider for Trust Automation's rapidly deployable small unmanned air defense system (RD-SUADS). The system, equipped with Echodyne's EchoShield radars, is designed to detect, classify, and track unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at distances of 3 to 4.5 km. Trust Automation secured a $490 million contract from the US Air Force for the development and delivery of counter-unmanned aircraft system capabilities. The RD-SUADS aims to enhance the military's ability to manage UAV threats effectively.
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Gecko Robotics Secures $71 Million Contract for Robotic Inspection in US Pacific Fleet

Gecko Robotics Secures $71 Million Contract for Robotic Inspection in US Pacific Fleet

Gecko Robotics Secures $71 Million Contract for Robotic Inspection in US Pacific Fleet
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Boeing Completes First Flight of MQ-25 Refuelling Drone, Enhancing US Navy Capabilities

Boeing Completes First Flight of MQ-25 Refuelling Drone, Enhancing US Navy Capabilities

Boeing has successfully completed the first test flight of its operationally-configured MQ-25 Stingray autonomous refuelling drone. The flight took place on April 25 at the Boeing industrial site at MidAmerica airport in Mascoutah, Illinois. This milestone comes seven years after initial test flights with a prototype. The MQ-25 is designed to provide aerial refuelling support to the US Navy's carrier air wings, replacing the current 'buddy tanking' system using F/A-18E/F strike fighters. The test involved ground operators from Boeing and the US Navy executing maneuvers to validate the drone's flight controls and engine performance. The US Navy plans to integrate the MQ-25 into its carrier operations, with a target for initial operational capability by 2027.
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MM 4.27: Maryland softball wins second straight Big Ten Series

MM 4.27: Maryland softball wins second straight Big Ten Series

This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.
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Browns OT Austin Barber: Everything you need to know from childhood to NFL draft

Browns OT Austin Barber: Everything you need to know from childhood to NFL draft

Cleveland Browns double dipped at offensive tackle during the 2026 NFL draft. Profile on Austin Barber, everything you need
SB Nation SB Nation
Husker Wrestling: Incoming FR Lincoln Sledzianowski Impresses at U20 US Open

Husker Wrestling: Incoming FR Lincoln Sledzianowski Impresses at U20 US Open

In addition to Sledzianowski on the podium in both Greco-Roman and freestyle, incoming FR Mason Petersen placed in Greco
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CDC warns of drug-resistant salmonella infections linked to backyard poultry

CDC warns of drug-resistant salmonella infections linked to backyard poultry

Federal health officials are investigating an outbreak of salmonella poisoning linked to backyard poultry that has sickened at least 34 people since February
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Fleet Readiness Center East Delivers First 3D Printed Metal Parts to U.S. Navy Fleet

Fleet Readiness Center East Delivers First 3D Printed Metal Parts to U.S. Navy Fleet

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has successfully delivered its first non-flight-critical metal additive manufactured aircraft parts to the U.S. Navy fleet. This marks a significant advancement in aircraft sustainment, as the parts were created using metal additive manufacturing, a process similar to 3D printing but involving high-powered lasers to weld aluminum powder into solid objects. The parts delivered include a weapons pylon fitting for the AH-1Z Viper, a repair fitting for the V-22 Osprey's main landing gear, and a blanking plate for the C-130 Hercules. This initiative is part of FRCE's broader effort to modernize support and enhance mission readiness by reducing maintenance lead times and ensuring aircraft remain flight-ready.
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US Navy Contracts Gecko Robotics for AI-Driven Ship Maintenance

US Navy Contracts Gecko Robotics for AI-Driven Ship Maintenance

US Navy Contracts Gecko Robotics for AI-Driven Ship Maintenance
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Foundation Secures Pentagon Contract for Humanoid Robot Soldiers Testing in Ukraine

Foundation Secures Pentagon Contract for Humanoid Robot Soldiers Testing in Ukraine

Foundation Secures Pentagon Contract for Humanoid Robot Soldiers Testing in Ukraine