Mysterious Object in St. Louis Identified as Navy’s First Unmanned Aircraft
A mysterious object spotted in St. Louis County has been confirmed as the Navy’s first carrier-based unmanned aircraft being transported.
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Residents in north St. Louis County were surprised to see a massive object moving through the area on Sunday night. The object has now been identified as the U.S. Navy’s first carrier-based unmanned aircraft, the MQ-25 Stingray, being transported by Boeing.
Boeing St. Louis confirmed to FOX2 television that the object is the MQ-25, which is being moved from Boeing’s facility to MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois. The transport is part of the company’s efforts to support the Navy’s new unmanned aircraft program.
FOX 2 spotted the mysterious object causing traffic around 9 p.m. Sunday near North Lindbergh Boulevard and New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. Boeing later confirmed the object was the MQ-25, the U.S. Navy’s first operational and carrier-based unmanned aircraft, which was moving from its facility in Berkeley, Missouri, to its new MQ-25 production facility near MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.
Boeing St. Louis is the headquarters of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), home to over 18,000 employees. The site is also the location of a new $1.8 billion advanced combat aircraft facility. The company moved its BDS headquarters to St. Louis in February of this year.
The MQ-25A Stingray is the U.S. Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft, designed primarily for autonomous aerial refueling to extend the range, endurance, and flexibility of the carrier air wing. The object seen in St. Louis on Sunday looked different from the MQ-25 Stingray online. This is likely due to the folded wings, which are a standard feature during transport.
Employees in the St. Louis area also support Boeing Global Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and enterprise functions. The facility is central to Boeing’s defense and aerospace operations, providing advanced fabrication capabilities, engineering support, and supply chain management.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
