The US Navy finally has a carrier with a built-in center for drones and other unmanned aircraft

Date:
Sat, 15 Aug 2026 21:05:00 +0000

Description:
The USS Theodore Roosevelt becomes the first carrier ready for MQ-25 operations as another carrier prepares its own unmanned aviation center.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter USS Theodore Roosevelt is now the Navys first carrier ready for MQ-25 operations US Navy spent years developing infrastructure needed to operate unmanned aircraft aboard carriers Ronald Reagan is expected to join the MQ-25 carrier fleet in August 2026 The US Navy has completed a major step toward operating unmanned aircraft from carriers with dedicated facilities for controlling them.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt is now the services first carrier with a fully operational Unmanned Air Warfare Center supporting MQ-25 operations. Another carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, is expected to have its own center ready for operational deployment by August 2026. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch
full video here: Theodore Roosevelt leads the carrier integration effort The Unmanned Air Warfare Center combines equipment required to control and manage unmanned aircraft operating from an aircraft carrier.

The Navy says its systems include the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System and MD-5E Ground Control Station. You may like US Navy plans for 'Air Wing of the Future' with next-generation, pilotless carrier-based 1,150-mile-range drones to fly alongside manned aircraft 3D-printed drones built on a US Navy ship for the first time, potentially opening a whole new world of possibilities for future warfare UK tests robot boat that can fly
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Those systems provide the command-and-control functions required for
operating Boeings MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aerial refueling aircraft.

The USS George H.W. Bush became the first carrier to receive and test the center during August 2024. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features
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However, Theodore Roosevelt is the first carrier where the capability has reached fully operational and deployable status.

According to a Pentagon acquisition document dated April 21, 2026, the Theodore Roosevelt became the first fully operational/deployable MQ-25
capable aircraft carrier.

The development gives the carrier force a dedicated infrastructure for unmanned aviation rather than treating drones as temporary additions. What to read next Ukraine unveils tiny 'aircraft carrier' but for FPV drone will submarine UAV launcher be next? The US Navy used a swarm of drone boats to seize $81 million worth of cocaine in the Caribbean US will build Ukraines
sea drones including the one that shoots down jets

That distinction matters because the MQ-25 requires specialized equipment alongside existing systems used for conventional carrier aviation.

The Navy expects the Ronald Reagan facility to become operational and deployable toward the end of August 2026. MQ-25 moves closer to carrier deployment The carrier infrastructure comes as the MQ-25 program advances after several years of development and testing.

In May 2026, the Stingray reached milestone C, allowing the program to move from development toward production and deployment.

The milestone followed nearly eight years of work since the Navy awarded Boeing an $805 million contract in 2018.

That contract covered four aircraft for design, development, fabrication, testing and delivery under the original program.

At that time, Navy estimates put the eventual cost near $13 billion for a planned fleet of 72 aircraft.

The program nevertheless experienced delays, including a first flight that occurred later than earlier schedules.

On April 25 2026, the Stingray completed an approximately two-hour flight
near Mascoutah, Illinois, advancing its testing program.

The aircraft is intended primarily to provide aerial refueling, reducing the burden currently carried by F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

That change could allow more Super Hornets to remain available for strike missions rather than supporting carrier refueling requirements.

The MQ-25 therefore depends on both the aircraft itself and carrier infrastructure capable of controlling unmanned operations.

With another carrier approaching readiness, the U.S. Navy is now moving from isolated testing toward a broader carrier-based unmanned aviation capability.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-us-navy-finally-has-a-carrier-with-a-built-i n-center-for-drones-and-other-unmanned-aircraft


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