Norfolk will eventually be the home for the Navy’s first carrier-based drone, the MQ-25A Stingray.
With a wingspan larger than an F/A-18, the drones will take over the air refueling role for aircraft stationed on the carriers. Still in development, Norfolk is not expected to see the first drones arrive until at least 2031.
At the moment, the Navy is seeking public comment for a draft environmental report. Base Commander Capt. Matthew Schlarmann expects to field questions about the safety of flying unmanned drones in the skies around Naval Station Norfolk.
“They have an unmanned aircraft that's going to be flying in and out of the airfield around their house,” he said. “And if you look at the historical rates there's not any more danger than if there's a manned aircraft taking off or landing.”
When the drones arrive in Norfolk, they will fly the same routes used by other Navy planes in Norfolk, he said.
Boeing is still in the process of delivering its first MQ-25A to the Navy. The first drones will arrive at Naval Base Ventura County in California, which has already gone through the Navy’s approval process.
The MQ-25A has faced delays. It was originally supposed to start test flights for the Navy last year. Currently, F/A-18 fighters with special fuel tanks, act as mid-air tankers for Navy jets at sea whenever the large dedicated tanker planes are not available. The F/A 18 is the only American fighter plane capable of mid-air refueling.
The Navy expects to have 20 drones based out of Norfolk by 2035. The new squadron will have 600 to 700 new sailors. Work on modifying a hanger and other changes to Naval Station Norfolk to accommodate the new squadron is expected to start in 2026.
The public comment period for the draft environmental plan runs through June 7. The final environmental report is expected to be approved in the fall. After that, the Navy makes a final decision, and then work on the base could start in 2026, Schalarmann said.
“We're hearing what their issues are and the concerns out there, instead of just forcing something onto the community,” he said.
