US Navy installs first Unmanned Air Warfare Center on USS George H.W. Bush.

According to information published by the US DoD on August 15, 2024, the U.S. Navy has successfully completed the installation of the world’s first Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). This facility will enable Air Vehicle Pilots (AVPs) to control future MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial operations directly from the carrier.
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The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. (Picture source: Dvids)

The UAWC installation represents the culmination of a multi-year effort, carefully timed to align with the carrier's availability and deployment schedules. The facility is equipped with the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS) MD-5E Ground Control Station (GCS), making it the first fully operational and integrated system of its kind.

The Ground Control Station, a product of collaboration between the Navy and Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works®, incorporates the Multi Domain Combat System (MDCX™), which powers the GCS. The installed hardware forms the baseline for future systems that will be implemented on other carriers starting in fiscal year 2025.

The installation process involved coordination among numerous Navy program offices, systems commands, and shipyards. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Webster Outlying Field Alteration Installation Team, AirWorks, and Lockheed Martin played key roles in the physical integration of the UAWC, while Naval Sea Systems Command, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and CVN 77 managed scheduling, equipment, and logistics.

Looking ahead, the USS George H.W. Bush is scheduled to conduct the first at-sea testing of the UAWC's operational networks early next year. This will be a significant test, as AVPs from Unmanned Carrier-Launched Multi-Role Squadron (VUQ) 10 will operate the MD-5 system from the carrier, interacting with a simulated air vehicle.

About the aircraft carrier

Commissioned in 2009, this nuclear-powered supercarrier plays a critical role in U.S. naval operations, particularly in power projection and supporting NATO missions.

In 2023, the USS George H.W. Bush completed an extensive eight-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, where it participated in various multinational exercises aimed at enhancing NATO's capabilities and deterring regional aggression.

During this deployment, the carrier was involved in high-profile operations like Neptune Strike (NEST) and several dual-carrier exercises with NATO allies, including Italy, France, and Spain.