The MQ-25 Stingray transported Tuesday is the first aircraft to begin final assembly at the new facility in Mascoutah.

Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, commander of Naval Air Forces, is confident the Navy will fly its MQ-25s this year and integrate them aboard aircraft carriers as part of manned-unmanned teaming next year.

Boeing won a contract March 21 to develop a next-generation combat aircraft for the U.S. Air Force that will spearhead future ...