US Navy installs second MQ-25 control station on carrier Ronald Reagan

The US Navy has fitted a second ground control station for uncrewed aircraft aboard one of its carriers. The new MD-5C, built by Lockheed Martin, will be used to operate Boeing's MQ-25A Stingray autonomous refuelling drone. The aircraft is designed to launch and recover from a carrier without direct inputs from a remote pilot.

The first MD-5C went aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in March 2026, forming the core of the navy's first carrier-based Unmanned Air Warfare Centre. Lockheed and the navy say the second has now been installed on the USS Ronald Reagan.

Captain Daniel Fucito, the navy's programme manager for uncrewed carrier aviation, said pairing unmanned systems with manned aircraft is meant to build a more resilient and adaptable force. "These carriers are ready to fly the MQ-25A," he said. He did not give a date for when that milestone will be reached.

Progress has been visible this year. Boeing flew a production-standard MQ-25A for the first time in April, and the autonomous refueller made what was described as a largely ceremonial appearance aboard the USS Nimitz in July during Washington's sestercentennial celebrations.

Boeing received its first low-rate initial production contract for MQ-25 Lot 1 aircraft in September, a deal valued at $562 million that included some long-lead items for Lot 2. The company holds firm orders for 14 of the uncrewed tankers out of an expected US Navy fleet of 76: 67 operational aircraft and nine test aircraft.

In June, Boeing's defence chief Steve Parker said the manufacturer was focused on completing carrier work on the aircraft. The navy has not said when the MQ-25A will begin flight operations from a carrier.