Boeing to build new factory to produce MQ-25 Stingray

On Sept. 17, Boeing (Chicago, Ill., U.S.) announced plans to build a new high-tech facility in Illinois to build the MQ-25 Stingray, the U.S. Navy’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft. 

According to Boeing, the 300,000 square-foot facility at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, scheduled for completion in 2024, initially will employ approximately 150 mechanics, engineers and support staff who will build the MQ-25 Stingray. Employment could reach up to 300 with additional orders.

Boeing digitally engineered the entire MQ-25 aircraft and its systems, resulting in high-fidelity models that are used to drive quality, efficiency and flexibility throughout the production and sustainment process. The new MQ-25 facility is reported to include state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and tools, including robotic automation and advanced assembly techniques, to improve product quality and employee ergonomics.

For two years, Boeing and the Navy have been flight testing the Boeing-owned MQ-25 test asset (called T1) from MidAmerica Airport. In recent missions, T1 has refueled an F/A-18 Super Hornet, an E-2D Hawkeye and an F-35C Lightning II. 

According to Boeing, the U.S. Navy intends to procure more than 70 MQ-25 aircraft to help extend the range of the carrier air wing, and the majority of those will be built in the new facility. Boeing is currently producing the first seven MQ-25 aircraft, plus two ground test articles, at its St. Louis facilities, and they will be transported to MidAmerica for flight testing. The MQ-25 program office, including its core engineering team, will remain based in St. Louis.

Kristin Robertson, vice president and general manager of Autonomous Systems, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, says, “The team and state-of-the-art technology we’re bringing to the Navy’s MQ-25 program is unprecedented, and we’re incredibly proud to be expanding both as we build the future of autonomous systems in Illinois. We’ve received great support from MidAmerica Airport and countless dedicated employees, and we’re excited to build the Navy’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft right here in the Metro East.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says, “The world’s largest aerospace company is doubling down on Illinois because of our unparalleled assets in the transportation and logistics sector and the world-class talent of our people. ... I want to thank the Boeing Company for their vote of confidence in Illinois, as well as St. Clair County leadership and the MidAmerica Airport team for giving companies another reason to choose Illinois.

The new MQ-25 facility will be in addition to existing manufacturing operations at Boeing St. Clair, which produces components for the CH-47 Chinook, F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-15 and other defense products.