Navy's New Drone Hub: USS Bush Gets Cutting-Edge Unmanned Air Warfare Center
US Navy Installs New Drone Control Center on Aircraft Carrier
The United States Navy has taken a significant step forward in its unmanned aerial capabilities with the installation of a new drone control center on the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier. The Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) is designed to operate the MQ-25 “Stingray” drones, marking a pivotal moment in the integration of unmanned systems into naval operations.
The MQ-25 “Stingray,” a $136 million unmanned aircraft system, is primarily tasked with refueling fighter jets such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and F-35C in mid-air. This capability is expected to substantially extend the Navy’s strike range, enhancing its operational flexibility and combat effectiveness.
Capt. Daniel Fucito, program manager for the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Program, highlighted the significance of this development, stating that the control center “lays the foundation for how the U.S. Navy will operate and control unmanned aircraft.” The UAWC is also anticipated to support other unmanned systems in the future, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
The Navy plans to conduct at-sea testing of the UAWC’s operational networks early next year. The Boeing-manufactured MQ-25 drone, measuring 51 feet in length with a range of approximately 580 miles, is scheduled to achieve Initial Operational Capability by 2026. It has been described as “the world’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft.”
This installation is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Defense to enhance US drone capabilities. The increasing importance of unmanned systems in modern warfare has been underscored by recent conflicts, particularly the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
The development comes at a time when the US Navy is actively engaged in drone-related operations in the Red Sea, where it has been countering attacks by Houthi rebels on shipping vessels since October. These attacks, carried out using drones and missiles, are reportedly in support of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in its conflict with Israel.
Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, noted that the US Navy is currently facing “the most sustained combat” since World War II, emphasizing the critical role that advanced drone technologies will play in future naval operations.
