Aitech Defense Will Provide Data Interface Technology for Boeing’s Unmanned MQ-25 Refueling Platform

May 9, 2019

William Kucinski

Aitech Defense Systems, Inc. (Aitech Defense), a subsidiary of Aitech Group based in of Chatswick, California, will supply key mission interface systems for The Boeing Company’s (Boeing’s) MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial refueling program. As outlined in the contract, Aitech Defense will supply an advanced, customized remote input/output (I/O) interface controller based on the company’s commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) modular, dual-core Ai-RIO remote interface.

The MQ-25 is the U.S. Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and is designed to provide a much-needed, low-cost refueling capability to aircraft like the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18 Growler, and Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters. The contract supports Boeing’s engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) program to provide four MQ-25 aircraft to the U.S. Navy for initial operational capability by 2024.

William Kucinski is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..