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

The Nimitz-class USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) has become the first U.S. Navy supercarrier equipped with an Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) fully capable of supporting the forthcoming MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone. This milestone brings the Navy closer to achieving initial operational capability (IOC) with the MQ-25, now scheduled for 2029 after years of delays. However, significant work remains before the Stingray can be fully integrated into routine carrier flight operations.

Key Details from Pentagon Report

The new information about the Theodore Roosevelt's UAWC and the MQ-25 program is contained in a Modernized Selected Acquisition Report (MSAR) released by the Pentagon. The report, dated April 21, 2026, was produced as part of work on the U.S. military's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

According to the report:

"In March 2026, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) UAWC became the first fully operational/deployable MQ-25 capable aircraft carrier. The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) UAWC is planned to be operational/deployable at the end of Aug 2026."

The report also notes:

"In August 2024, the first test Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC), where Air Vehicle Pilots will control future MQ-25 airborne operations, was installed and tested aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)."

Both the USS Ronald Reagan and USS George H.W. Bush are also Nimitz-class carriers. The Navy publicly announced the integration of the UAWC on the George H.W. Bush—a first-of-its-kind development—in 2024. It remains unclear why the Theodore Roosevelt's UAWC has now been certified as the first fully operational unit. Previous reports indicated the Navy's plan was to deploy Stingrays first on the Theodore Roosevelt.

MQ-25 Program Delays and Timeline

The MQ-25 program has been beset by delays and cost growth for years. Key milestones include:

• Original IOC target: 2024
• Revised IOC target: July 2027
• Current IOC target: February 2029
• First production-representative maiden flight: April 2026
• Earlier MQ-25 demonstrator (T1) first flight: 2019

Fleet Plans and Capabilities

The Navy currently plans to acquire a total fleet of 76 Stingrays, which will provide critical range extension for current and future carrier air wing aircraft. Key objectives include:

• Eliminating the need for crewed F/A-18E/F Super Hornets to serve in the tanker role, which currently accounts for a significant portion of their deployed sorties
• Freeing up Super Hornets for other missions
• Reducing overall wear and tear on airframes
• Providing a secondary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability from the outset

Ground Control and Mission Systems

The MSAR also details the integration of the MQ-25 with the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS):

"The MQ-25 Air System is integrating a Ground Control Station (GCS) managed by the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS) program within UCA [the Navy's Unmanned Carrier Aviation program]. The UMCS program is a separate ACAT II [Acquisition Category II] program that integrates with multiple networks and systems both afloat and ashore. The MQ-25 and UMCS programs are synchronized to provide complete capability to the aircraft carrier."

While Boeing is the prime contractor for the MQ-25 drone, Lockheed Martin has been leading work on the UMCS, which it has described as a "system of systems." The central element is the MD-5E GCS, consisting of operator stations with arrays of monitors, tablet-like devices, and other computer hardware. The physical hardware seen to date is consistent with other known GCS designs, including those used by the U.S. Air Force to operate MQ-1 Predators and MQ-9 Reapers.

The UMCS also includes the Multi Domain Combat System (MDCX), an "autonomy platform" developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works advanced projects division. The company has stated that MDCX "provides uncrewed vehicle autonomy, mission planning, and command and control (C2) capability."

Recent Integration Milestone

In October 2025, the MQ-25A and the UMCS connected for the first time during air vehicle and Ground Control Station integration checks.