American developers armed refueling drones with anti-ship missiles

Media The War Zone  informs: the Boeing company demonstrated a model of the MQ-25 Stingray refueling drone, armed with a pair of stealthy long-range Lockheed Martin AGM-158C (LRASM) anti-ship missiles. Although the MQ-25 is not yet ready for its primary air-to-air refueling role, the US Navy is already thinking about ways to expand its capabilities.

The MQ-25 platform is being considered for a wider range of missions , in particular striking. However, the Navy is currently focused on using the MQ-25 as a tanker to help extend the range of warplanes. In addition, the Navy has identified secondary reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks for the drone. For this purpose, UAVs will be equipped with modular electro-optical sensor systems.

Giving the MQ-25 the ability to launch LRASM and possibly other weapons would be an important new development. Currently, the Super Hornet is the only US Navy aircraft capable of using LRASM. The LRASM AGM-158C-1 version in service has a stated maximum range of 320 km to 480 km. In the future AGM-158C-2 should extend the range of the missile to about 965 km.

LRASM uses an onboard GPS-enabled inertial navigation system guidance system, and also an infrared image sensor in the final stage of the flight, which autonomously selects the optimal location to engage the target.

The missile has many other sophisticated functions, including a data link and highly autonomous route planning capability in combination with electronic support functions that&nbsp ;allow it to avoid threats and better detect targets.

In general, LRASM is expected to play a key role in a likely large-scale maritime conflict with China. In this scenario, the US military will have to confront the Navy of the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China, which continues to build up its surface military capabilities.