First Unmanned Air Warfare Centre installed for Stingray operations
The first installation of the Unmanned Air Warfare Centre (UAWC). (Photo: US Navy)
The US Navy has installed the world’s first UAWC aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The centre will let Air Vehicle Pilots (AVPs) control future MQ-25 Stingray airborne operations.
The CVN-based control room includes software and hardware systems that make up the first fully operational and integrated Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS) MD-5E Ground Control Station (GCS).
“CVN 77’s UAWC lays the foundation for how the US Navy will operate and control uncrewed aircraft, and perhaps other unmanned vehicles, with UMCS,” said Unmanned Carrier Aviation (PMA-268) programme manager Capt Daniel Fucito. “These systems will initially support the MQ-25, but also future unmanned systems such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) that comprise the air wing of the future.”
Related Articles
Frequentis contracted for control system for MQ-25 Stingray
Boeing tests new MQ-25 Stingray software for crewed-uncrewed teaming
The GCS includes Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works Multi Domain Combat System (MDCX), along with additional supporting equipment and hardware. The hardware installed in the racks and cockpits is the baseline for the production systems currently being fabricated for installation on CVNs 70, 71, and 76, beginning in Fiscal Year 2025.
The MQ-25 Stingray is a carrier-based, long-endurance UAS that will conduct aerial refuelling as a primary mission and provide ISR capability as a secondary mission. Once integrated into carrier fleets, the Stingray will extend the range of US carriers' existing crewed aircraft. When fully launched, the MQ-25 will become the first uncrewed vehicle capable of refuelling others mid-flight.
The first drone was delivered to the USN for testing in February 2024.
The George H.W. Bush was designed as a cross-over between the established Nimitz class aircraft carrier and the new Gerald R. Ford-class, which will gradually begin to replace the Nimitz as those craft start to retire from 2025 onward.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
UAS: flight control systems | MQ-25 Stingray [France]
MQ-25 Stingray (Selected) [USA]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
China’s modernisation could “gradually erode” US advantage, says IISS
China’s growing capabilities, such as newly unveiled combat aircraft designs and ongoing J-20 aircraft production, were noted as examples of the country's rapid modernisation efforts and military reforms.
-
Rheinmetall to deliver C-390 simulators
The order is from the Netherlands and is the third order worldwide, and the second in Europe after contracts from Embraer and Portugal.
-
Regent’s Viceroy targets “early March” for US Marine-aided sea trials
The sea trials will focus on de-risking the seaglider with US Marine involvement after Regent signed a partnership to help develop the prototype, against a backdrop of growing military interest from the UK and Japan.
-
Netherlands signs deal for eight PC-7 MKX training aircraft
The eight new aircraft will also be joined by four flight simulators, the former replacing the air force’s current Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft by 2027.