Boeing has received a contract from the US Department of Defense to expand the electronic warfare capabilities of its MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aircraft. The work is backed by a new $12.7-million investment and includes upgrades to two key systems on the drone. One element of the contract covers an upgraded Radio Frequency Blanker Unit. This component is designed to ensure that the aircraft’s own radio-frequency transmissions do not interfere with its onboard sensors, helping maintain sensor performance while the aircraft is operating. The investment also includes work on the MQ-25’s Encrypted Mass Storage System. This system is intended to protect information collected and transferred by the drone during flight by keeping the data secure and encrypted. The combined upgrades will strengthen the MQ-25’s ability to manage electromagnetic interference while also protecting mission-related information generated during operations. The contract therefore adds both electronic protection and data-security improvements to Boeing’s unmanned aerial refueling platform.
