Boeing (www.boein.com) will build the US Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft — the MQ-25 aerial refueller — after an $805 million contract was awarded at the end of August.

The engineering and manufacturing development contract to provide four aircraft will be undertaken in St Louis.

Leanne Caret — president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security — said: “As a company, we made an investment
in an unmanned aircraft system that meets the US Navy’s refuelling requirements.

“The fact that we’re already preparing for ‘first flight’ is thanks to an outstanding team who understand the Navy and its need to have this important asset on carrier decks around the world.”

The MQ-25 is designed to give the US Navy a much-needed refuelling capability, extending the range of its Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Boeing EA-18G Growler and Lockheed Martin F-35C aircraft.

The MQ-25 will seamlessly integrate with a carrier’s launch and recovery systems.

Meanwhile, Boeing and GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes recently unveiled the latter’s newly fitted-out 737 MAX 8 with a celebration in Sao Paulo.

The leading Brazilian airline announced plans to fly this more fuel-efficient and longer-range 737 on international routes.

As part of its fleet renewal programme, GOL has placed multiple orders for the 737 MAX, including one at the Farnborough International Airshow.

This puts it is on track to become the largest MAX operator in Latin America, with a fleet of 135 MAX airplanes.