Boeing is investing $12.7 million to upgrade its MQ-25A Stingray, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with enhancements focused on improving its radio frequency (RF) blanker, encrypted storage, and mission computer security. These modifications are expected to be completed by November 2029 and include the installation of an RF blanker unit, an updated Encrypted Mass Storage System with a built-in Data Transfer System, and options for analyzing and correcting any deficiencies to support security evaluations of the aircraft's Mission Management System Computer. The upgrades are being seen as the first time the U.S. Navy’s carrier-based drone is acquiring multiple electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, according to a recent contract announcement by the U.S. Department of Defense. The RF blanker is a type of electromagnetic compatibility hardware that prevents the drone’s own transmitters from interfering with its receivers, which is crucial for effective electronic warfare operations. This kind of technology is often used to ensure that a vehicle's communication systems operate without disrupting one another or external signals. According to the Navy's Modernized Selected Acquisition Report from April 21, 2026, the MQ-25's main role is aerial refueling, with Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) as a secondary mission. The report does not mention any electronic warfare requirements or additional performance metrics beyond those already outlined. This suggests that the recent modifications are an expansion of the drone’s capabilities rather than a redefinition of its primary role. The upgrades may be primarily defensive, aimed at preventing unauthorized access to the drone or disrupting its operations. Currently, the MQ-25 serves as an unmanned aerial refueling drone for the U.S. Navy, capable of carrying approximately 14,000 to 16,000 pounds of fuel with a combat radius of 500 nautical miles. In addition to this, Boeing has proposed a land-based version of the MQ-25 equipped with external pylons and the ability to perform ISR, electronic warfare, and airborne early warning tasks. However, this variant has not yet secured a customer.