The Unmanned Carrier Aviation program is comprised of two major segments: the MQ-25 Air System (air vehicle), and the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS), the system required for carrier integration and command and control of the MQ-25 air vehicle. PMA-268 is the lead systems integrator for MQ-25, working closely with its two prime industry partners, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, to seamlessly integrate the MQ-25 into carrier operations, including deck handing, taxiing and launch and recovery

MQ-25™

Description:

The MQ-25™ Stingray will be the world’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft and provide aerial refueling for the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG). Integration of a persistent, sea-based tanker into the CVW will make better use of our combat strike fighters and extend the range of our aircraft carriers. The system will be a critical part of the future CVW, laying the foundation for all future carrier-based unmanned systems and pioneering the cutting-edge manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operational concept. The Navy plans for all NIMITZ and FORD-class carriers to eventually be MQ-25 capable.

The Navy awarded an Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract to The Boeing Company in August 2018 for the design, development, fabrication, test, delivery, and support of MQ-25A Engineering Development Models (EDMs). Over the next year, Boeing will deliver the first flight test aircraft and testing will occur at its facility in St. Louis, Missouri before transiting to NAS Patuxent River for the duration of the flight test program, with additional testing taking place in Lakehurst, New Jersey, and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. 

MQ-25™ is a trademark of the Department of the Navy

Specifications: 

 Primary function: Aerial refueling

 Contractor: Boeing

 Propulsion: Rolls-Royce AE3700N

 Length: 51.0 ft

 Wingspan (wings spread): 75.0 feet

 Wingspan (wings folded): 31.3 feet

 Height (wings spread): 9.8 feet

 Height (wings folded): 15.7 feet

Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS)

Description: 

The U.S. Navy manages the UMCS Program of Record and is the system-of-systems required for the MQ-25 air vehicle command and control and is critical to the unmanned aircraft refueler’s operations.

The UMCS MD-5E Ground Control Station (GCS) was developed by the U.S. Navy and includes the Multi Domain Combat System (MDCX™) developed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works®, the power behind the GCS, along with additional U.S. Navy developed supporting equipment and hardware.

Along with the MQ-25, the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System increases capability and interoperability and will control all carrier-based Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the future Carrier Air Wing.