Boeing is turning the MQ-25 Stingray drone into an electronic warfare heavyweight

Boeing has received a $12.68 million investment to upgrade the MQ-25 Stingray drone with electronic warfare capabilities, according to a recent US Department of War contract announcement. The modifications include an RF blanker, an encrypted mass storage system, and an updated mission computer security system, all of which are designed to enhance the drone's defensive capabilities.

An RF blanker is a piece of electromagnetic compatibility hardware that prevents an aircraft's transmitters from interfering with its own receivers, allowing it to conduct electronic warfare more effectively. The upgrades are significant because they address a crucial aspect of the MQ-25's potential future role as a platform for sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities.

The Navy's acquisition report, dated April 2026, lists refueling as the MQ-25's primary mission and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as its secondary mission, with no specific electronic warfare requirements. However, the $12 million investment, part of a $19 billion program, suggests that the MQ-25's role may expand in the future.