US Navy Installs World’s First Carrier-Based Drone Control Center on USS George HW Bush

The US Navy has achieved a significant milestone by installing the world’s first carrier-based drone control center aboard the USS George HW Bush (CVN 77). This cutting-edge development represents a major step in integrating unmanned systems into carrier operations, starting with the control of the future MQ-25 Stingray uncrewed air refuelers.

The new Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) is a specialized facility where air vehicle pilots will manage drone operations. Initially, the center will control the MQ-25 Stingray, which is designed to provide aerial refueling to enhance the range and endurance of manned aircraft. Eventually, the UAWC will be capable of managing future carrier-based unmanned platforms like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), designed for various combat missions.

Expanding Capabilities Across Carrier Fleets

The US Navy’s long-term vision includes outfitting all Nimitz and Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers with UAWCs. This system is expected to redefine how the Navy integrates unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into its carrier strike groups.

Captain Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program Manager, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, "CVN 77’s UAWC lays the foundation for how the US Navy will operate and control unmanned aircraft, and perhaps other unmanned vehicles, with UMCS (Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System)."

Advanced Technology and Integration

The heart of the UAWC’s capabilities lies in the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS), a complex network of software and hardware. The UMCS is a system-of-systems that includes the MD-5E Ground Control Station, ship and shore-based infrastructure modifications, and integration with command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems. Developed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, the MD-5E Ground Control Station is central to this capability, offering multi-domain combat system integration and cutting-edge technology for mission execution.

The UAWC’s advanced systems allow for seamless control and command of unmanned platforms, ensuring operational efficiency and mission success. The center’s capability extends beyond the control of UAVs, with potential future applications for managing various unmanned vehicles.

Preparing for Operational Testing

The development and installation of the UAWC involved years of coordination, integrating it into the ship’s operational schedule and multiple ship availability periods. The first significant test of the UAWC’s operational networks is planned for early next year. This follows initial testing in January, conducted with a simulated Ground Control Station aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

The upcoming trials will mark the first time that air vehicle pilots from Unmanned Carrier-Launched Multi-Role Squadron 10 will operate the MD-5E from an aircraft carrier. During the tests, pilots will use actual GCS hardware and software aboard the USS George HW Bush to communicate with a simulated air vehicle in a lab at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

A New Era in Carrier Operations

The UAWC’s installation marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of carrier operations. As the US Navy continues to push the boundaries of unmanned aviation, this system sets the stage for more autonomous capabilities in future naval warfare. By integrating the UAWC across its carrier fleet, the Navy is enhancing its ability to maintain operational superiority in an increasingly complex and contested maritime environment.

This significant advancement underscores the Navy’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensure readiness and adaptability in future conflicts.