USS Theodore Roosevelt First Carrier with MQ-25 Stingray Drone Control Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) became the first U.S. Navy supercarrier with a fully operational Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) for the MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone, certified in March 2026. The MQ-25 program, delayed from a 2024 initial operational capability (IOC) target to February 2029, aims to acquire 76 Stingrays to refuel carrier aircraft and provide secondary ISR. The UAWC integrates Lockheed Martin’s UMCS system. The USS Ronald Reagan is expected to follow by August 2026.
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USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has become the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier equipped with a built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to support the Boeing MQ-25A Stingray, the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25A, intended to relieve F/A-18 Super Hornets of aerial refueling duties, reached milestone C in May 2026, authorizing production and deployment. The UAWC aboard the Roosevelt became fully operational in March 2026, with the USS Ronald Reagan's center slated to be operational by the end of August 2026. The USS George H.W. Bush was the first carrier to test the UAWC in August 2024. The MQ-25 program, initiated with an $805 million contract in 2018, is estimated to cost about $13 billion for 72 aircraft. The Stingray completed a successful test flight in April 2026.
USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has become the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier equipped with a built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to support operations of the Boeing-made MQ-25A Stingray, the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25A, cleared for low-rate initial production and deployment in May 2026, is designed to relieve F/A-18 Super Hornets of aerial refueling duties, allowing them to focus on strike missions. The UAWC, which includes the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System and MD-5E Ground Control Station, was first installed and tested on the USS George H.W. Bush in August 2024. The USS Ronald Reagan is expected to have its UAWC operational by the end of August 2026. The MQ-25 program, initiated with an $805 million contract in 2018, is estimated to cost about $13 billion for 72 aircraft.
USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has become the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier equipped with a built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to support operations of the Boeing-made MQ-25A Stingray, the first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25A, cleared for low-rate initial production and deployment in May 2026, is designed to relieve F/A-18 Super Hornets of aerial refueling duties, allowing them to focus on strike missions. The UAWC, which includes the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System and MD-5E Ground Control Station, was first installed and tested on the USS George H.W. Bush in August 2024. The USS Ronald Reagan is slated to have its UAWC operational by the end of August 2026. The MQ-25 program, initiated with an $805 million contract in 2018, is estimated to cost about $13 billion for 72 aircraft.
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USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has become the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier equipped with a fully operational Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to support the Boeing MQ-25A Stingray, the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25A, cleared for low-rate initial production and deployment in May 2026, is designed to relieve F/A-18 Super Hornets of aerial refueling duties, allowing them to focus on strike missions. The UAWC, which includes the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System and MD-5E Ground Control Station, was first installed and tested on the USS George H.W. Bush in August 2024. The USS Ronald Reagan is slated to have its UAWC operational by the end of August 2026. The MQ-25 program, initiated with an $805 million contract in 2018, achieved Milestone C in May 2026, transitioning from development to production and deployment after nearly eight years.
USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has become the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier equipped with a fully operational Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to support the Boeing MQ-25A Stingray, the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25A, cleared for low-rate initial production and deployment in May 2026, is designed to relieve F/A-18 Super Hornets of aerial refueling duties, allowing them to focus on strike missions. The UAWC, which includes the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System and MD-5E Ground Control Station, was first installed and tested on USS George H.W. Bush in August 2024. The USS Ronald Reagan is expected to have its UAWC operational by the end of August 2026. The MQ-25 program, initiated with an $805 million contract in 2018, reached Milestone C in May 2026, transitioning from development to production and deployment after nearly eight years.
USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has become the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier equipped with a built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to support the Boeing MQ-25A Stingray, the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The milestone was announced in a Pentagon Modernized Selected Acquisition Report. The MQ-25A, which reached milestone C in May 2026, is intended to relieve F/A-18 Super Hornets of aerial refueling duties, allowing them to focus on strike missions. The UAWC, which includes the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System and MD-5E Ground Control Station, was first installed and tested on the USS George H.W. Bush in August 2024. The USS Ronald Reagan is expected to have its UAWC operational by the end of August 2026. The MQ-25 program began with an $805 million contract in 2018 and is estimated to cost about $13 billion for 72 aircraft.
USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has become the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier equipped with a built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to support the Boeing-made MQ-25A Stingray, the first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25A, cleared for low-rate initial production and deployment in May 2026, is designed to relieve F/A-18 Super Hornets of aerial refueling duties, allowing them to focus on strike missions. The UAWC, which includes the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System and MD-5E Ground Control Station, was first installed and tested on the USS George H.W. Bush in August 2024. The USS Ronald Reagan is slated to have its UAWC operational by the end of August 2026. The MQ-25 program, initiated with an $805 million contract in 2018, recently completed a successful test flight in Illinois.
USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt has become the first U.S. Navy aircraft carrier equipped with a built-in Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) to support the Boeing MQ-25A Stingray, the Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The MQ-25A, cleared for low-rate initial production and deployment in May 2026, is designed to relieve F/A-18 Super Hornets of aerial refueling duties, allowing them to focus on strike missions. The UAWC aboard the Roosevelt became fully operational in March 2026, with the USS Ronald Reagan expected to follow by the end of August 2026. The USS George H.W. Bush was the first carrier to test the UAWC in August 2024. The MQ-25 program, initiated with an $805 million contract in 2018, is estimated to cost $13 billion for 72 aircraft. The Stingray completed a successful test flight in April 2026, moving closer to operational deployment.
USS Theodore Roosevelt Becomes First Carrier with MQ-25 Stingray Drone Control Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) has become the first U.S. Navy supercarrier with a fully operational Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) capable of supporting the MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone, according to a Pentagon Modernized Selected Acquisition Report dated April 2026. The UAWC was certified in March 2026, ahead of the USS Ronald Reagan planned for August 2026. The MQ-25 program, originally aiming for initial operational capability (IOC) in 2024, has faced repeated delays and cost growth, with IOC now pushed to February 2029. The Navy plans to acquire 76 Stingrays to extend the range of carrier air wings and free up F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from tanker duties. The drones will also have secondary ISR capability. The Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS), led by Lockheed Martin, integrates the Ground Control Station and autonomy platform. The first production-representative MQ-25 made its maiden flight in April 2026.
USS Theodore Roosevelt Becomes First Carrier with MQ-25 Stingray Drone Control Center
The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) has become the first U.S. Navy supercarrier with a fully operational Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) capable of supporting the MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone, according to a Pentagon Modernized Selected Acquisition Report dated April 2026. The milestone was reached in March 2026, with the USS Ronald Reagan expected to follow by August 2026. However, the MQ-25 program continues to face delays; initial operational capability (IOC) has slipped from an original 2024 target to February 2029. The Navy plans to acquire 76 Stingrays to extend carrier air wing range and free up F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from tanker duties. The drones will also have secondary ISR capability. The UAWC integrates the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS) developed by Lockheed Martin, including the MD-5E Ground Control Station and the MDCX autonomy platform. The first production-representative MQ-25 made its maiden flight in April 2026.
USS Theodore Roosevelt Becomes First Carrier with Drone Control Center for MQ-25 Stingray
The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) has become the first U.S. Navy supercarrier with a fully operational Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) capable of supporting the MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone, according to a Pentagon Modernized Selected Acquisition Report dated April 2026. The milestone marks progress toward the Navy's goal of initial operational capability (IOC) for the MQ-25, now delayed to February 2029 after originally being planned for 2024. The USS Ronald Reagan is expected to follow by August 2026. The MQ-25 program, led by Boeing, aims to provide aerial refueling for carrier aircraft, freeing up F/A-18 Super Hornets from tanker duties. The Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS), developed by Lockheed Martin, integrates the ground control stations and autonomy platforms. The Navy plans to acquire 76 Stingrays, which will also offer secondary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.