Analysis: The future of the MQ-25 programme
Northrop Grumman’s withdrawal from the US Navy’s requirement for a Carrier-Based Aerial-Refuelling System (CBARS), also known as MQ-25 Stingray, has highlighted the fragility of the ever-changing programme.
It was made clear that following the amended RfP, released in early October 2017 by the US Navy, the company was not willing to pursue the requirement.
There is a risk that if the requirements continue to change other competitors could also drop out. However, Michael Blades, research director at Frost and Sullivan, stated that the programme is not going to go away.
'The navy needs some kind of capability,' he said.
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