USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes first carrier with MQ-25 Stingray drone control center

Published Aug 7, 05:44 PM UTC

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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.

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TWZWestern

Original headline: USS Theodore Roosevelt Is The First Carrier With A Drone Control Center Ready For MQ-25 Stingray Ops

Original language: EN-US

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USS Theodore Roosevelt First Carrier with MQ-25 Stingray Drone Control Center

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