The massive mysterious object that was seen in north St. Louis County on Sunday night has been identified.
Boeing Company in St. Louis told local FOX2 television that the object is the Navy’s first carrier-based unmanned aircraft.
Boeing was moving the MQ-25 model from Boeing to MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.
FOX 2 spotted the mysterious object causing traffic around 9 p.m. Sunday near North Lindbergh Boulevard and New Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. Boeing later confirmed the object was the MQ-25, the U.S. Navy’s first operational and carrier-based unmanned aircraft, which was moving from its facility in Berkeley, Missouri, to its new MQ-25 production facility near MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois.
— FOX2now (@FOX2now) October 19, 2026
Boeing St. Louis is the headquarters of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), home to over 18,000 employees, and is the site of major defense aircraft production and a new $1.8 billion advanced combat aircraft facility.
Boeing moved its Defense, Space and Security (BDS) headquarters to St. Louis in February of this year.
Highlights of the St. Louis location:
** Defense aircraft and munitions production and modernization
** Advanced fabrication capabilities
** Services and sustainment support
** Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality and other capability centers
** Phantom Works advanced prototyping and Virtual Warfare Centers
Employees in the St. Louis area also support Boeing Global Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes and enterprise functions.
Interesting fact: The MQ‑25A Stingray is the U.S. Navy’s first operational carrier‑based unmanned aircraft, designed primarily for autonomous aerial refueling to extend the range, endurance, and flexibility of the carrier air wing.
The unmanned aircraft that was seen in St. Louis on Sunday looks different from the MQ-25 Stingray online. It’s likely because of the folded wings.
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