World First: US Navy refuels jet mid-air with unmanned drone

Published

5 years ago

June 8, 2021

Anthony Lucas

The US Navy has refueled an aircraft using an unmanned drone for the first time in history

The drone, dubbed MQ-25 Stingray, uses the Navy’s probe-and-drogue refuelling method.

The operation took place near Mascoutah, Illinois, with an FA-18 Super Hornet.

The Navy says the carrier-based drone will be the world’s first unmanned tanker to provide critical aerial refuelling and intelligence.

During the flight, the Super Hornet approached the drone from behind and were as close as 20 feet from each other, Boeing said.

Mid-flight, the hose extended from the drone, and the Super Hornet connected with the drogue at the end of the hose to receive the fuel.

Boeing’s drone transferred 325 of the 500 pounds of fuel available during the approximately 4.5-hour test flight, Dave Bujold, Boeing’s MQ-25 program director, said during a press conference Monday.

The US Navy says the carrier-based drone will be the world’s first unmanned tanker to provide critical aerial refuelling and intelligence.

“This is a significant and exciting moment for the Navy and shows concrete progress toward realising MQ-25’s capabilities for the fleet,”
US Navy Captain Chad Reed said.

It comes as the US military juggernaut faces ever-increasing challenges around the world, particularly in the South China Sea.

Sam Altman predicts superintelligence could appear by 2028

Sam Altman warns superintelligence may arise by 2028, advocating for global cooperation and a new governing body for AI.

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Sam Altman warns superintelligence may arise by 2028, advocating for global cooperation and a new governing body for AI.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has issued a bold prediction, suggesting that early forms of superintelligence could emerge as soon as 2028. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, Altman emphasised the urgent need for global cooperation to manage AI development responsibly.

He proposed the creation of an international oversight body for AI, similar to the International Atomic Energy Agency, to prevent misuse and ensure ethical advancements. Altman also raised concerns about authoritarian control in exchange for technological gains, highlighting the geopolitical stakes of AI.

With over 100 million users in India alone, ChatGPT has become a key part of the AI landscape. Altman acknowledged potential job disruptions but expressed optimism about society’s ability to adapt to rapid AI changes.

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Tech

Apple faces legal action as West Virginia sues over child safety

West Virginia AG John McCuskey sues Apple for failing to block child abuse material on iCloud and iOS devices.

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

West Virginia AG John McCuskey sues Apple for failing to block child abuse material on iCloud and iOS devices.

West Virginia’s attorney general John McCuskey has filed a lawsuit against Apple Inc., alleging the tech giant failed to properly prevent child sexual abuse material from circulating on iCloud and iOS devices. The legal action claims the company’s strong stance on user privacy may have come at the expense of child safety protections.

McCuskey argues that other major tech firms, including Google and Microsoft, have taken stronger steps to detect and remove such content. The lawsuit intensifies scrutiny on how Silicon Valley balances encryption, privacy, and online safety.

The case could have major implications for Apple’s privacy-first branding and how platforms police illegal material moving forward.

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Tech

Zuckerberg testifies on social media addiction and child safety

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies in LA trial over claims that platforms are addictive and harmful to children.

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies in LA trial over claims that platforms are addictive and harmful to children.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is testifying at a landmark social media trial in Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment in the debate over online child safety. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argue that Meta intentionally designed its platforms to be addictive, putting young users at risk.

This is the first time Zuckerberg has addressed concerns about child safety directly before a jury, with KGM’s case acting as one of around 20 test trials aimed at gauging how jurors respond to claims that social media companies knowingly fuel harmful engagement.

The outcome could set the tone for future litigation against tech giants and reshape how platforms are designed, regulated and held accountable.

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