Boeing says T1 being prepped for more flight tests later this year

Boeing said today it is installing the aerial refueling store onboard its MQ-25 test asset T1 in preparation for flight testing with Navy engineers later this year.

"That team first will be looking at the aerodynamic effects of the store at various points of the flight envelope and later will be monitoring the hose and drogue's behavior in the wake of the MQ-25 airframe," according to the Boeing statement.

The company began T1 flight testing last year at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, IL and accumulated 30 hours in the air.

MQ-25 is the Navy's new carrier-launched, unmanned tanker designed to relieve the F/A-18 fleet from the refueling mission.

"T1 ground testing is currently underway following modifications that included integration of the aerial refueling store," added Navy MQ-25 program manager Capt. Chad Reed. "Flight [testing] will resume later this summer and will include envelope expansion and air wake surveys."