US Navy installs world’s first drone control center on aircraft carrier

The world’s first Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) has been installed by the US Navy aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.  

The new facility will allow pilots to control future Boeing MQ-25 Stingray airborne operations directly from the carrier.  

The MQ-25 is the first carrier-based uncrewed aircraft to be used by the US Navy. The aerial refueler drone will replace the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters currently assigned to this role, with 20- 30% of their flight time dedicated to refueling missions. The MQ-25 will allow the US Navy to preserve the service life of the Super Hornets.   

The UAWC installation is the first fully operational and integrated the MD-5E Ground Control Station (GCS), essential for commanding and controlling the MQ-25 aircraft. 

The Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (Credit: U.S. Navy photo)“CVN 77’s UAWC lays the foundation for how the U.S. Navy will operate and control unmanned aircraft, and perhaps other unmanned vehicles, with UMCS,” said Unmanned Carrier Aviation (PMA-268) Program Manager, Captain Daniel Fucito. “These systems will initially support the MQ-25 but also future unmanned systems such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft that comprise the Air Wing of the Future.” 

The US Navy developed the GCS with the help of Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works. This installation serves as the standard for similar systems installed on other carriers, beginning in 2025. 

Boeing demonstrates MQ-25 refueling command by F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot

DefensebyClement CharpentreauMay 2, 2024

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