Curtiss-Wright's Defense Solutions division announced today it has been awarded a contract by The Boeing Company to supply data technology systems for the MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueling program.

"We are very proud that our data system solution was selected by Boeing for use on the aircraft carrier-deployed MQ-25 unmanned tanker aircraft," said Lynn Bamford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Defense Solutions division.

The MQ-25 is the U.S. Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft and is designed to provide a much-needed refueling capability. The contract supports Boeing's engineering and manufacturing development program to provide four MQ-25 aircraft to the U.S. Navy for Initial Operational Capability by 2024.

Curtiss-Wright has been a supplier to Boeing for more than 60 years. This latest MQ-25 contract will require the addition of a half dozen engineers and technicians at Curtiss-Wright, which is also a supplier to a range of other Boeing commercial and defense programs.

"The MQ-25 program is vital because it will help the U.S. Navy extend the range of the carrier air wing, and Boeing and our industry team is all-in on delivering this capability," said Dave Bujold, Boeing's MQ-25 program director. "The work we're doing is also foundational for the future of Boeing – where we're building autonomous systems from seabed to space."