The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) became the first U.S. aircraft carrier fitted with a fully operational Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) in March 2026 to support the MQ-25 Stingray. The MQ-25 is an unmanned tanker designed to refuel carrier aircraft; tests have already demonstrated refueling of F-35C, F/A-18, and E-2D aircraft. The USS Ronald Reagan is scheduled to receive a UAWC by August 2026, as the Navy prepares to expand unmanned operations and free up crewed fighters for combat missions.
USS Theodore Roosevelt Becomes First U.S. Carrier To Receive Unmanned Air Warfare Center
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The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier christened on October 25, 1986, received a notable upgrade in March 2026: the Navy's first fully operational Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC). The installation prepares the carrier to operate the MQ-25 Stingray, the Navy's first carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling system.
What Changed
The Pentagon's Modernized Selected Acquisition Report confirms that the Roosevelt is now equipped with an integrated UAWC to support MQ-25 operations. The upgrade marks a significant milestone in naval aviation by embedding dedicated unmanned-systems control capabilities aboard a forward-deployed carrier.
About the MQ-25 Stingray
The MQ-25 is a large, carrier-capable unmanned aerial vehicle designed primarily for aerial refueling rather than combat. While full operational service is not expected until around 2029, test flights have already demonstrated mid-air refueling of carrier aircraft including the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18 Super Hornet, and E-2D Hawkeye.
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How the UAWC Works
The UAWC integrates the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System with the MD-5E Ground Control Station to manage and monitor unmanned aircraft from the carrier deck. Although installed primarily for MQ-25 operations, the center is intended to support multiple unmanned platforms and missions.
Operational Impact and Future Plans
By taking over the refueling mission from crewed tankers (often adapted F/A-18 Super Hornets), the MQ-25 can free multirole fighters for combat tasks and reduce personnel and operating costs aboard the carrier. According to the report, the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is slated to receive an operational UAWC by the end of August 2026, suggesting a fleetwide rollout across active carriers.
Beyond Refueling: Wingman Drones and Air Traffic
The UAWC is expected to support future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) or "wingman" drones — autonomous systems designed to fly alongside crewed fighters — as the Navy develops concepts for distributed, mixed manned-unmanned carrier air wings. As more unmanned platforms come online, a growing share of a carrier's air operations will be coordinated through UAWCs.
Background: The USS George H.W. Bush conducted earlier tests of unmanned carrier operations in August 2024, which informed the Roosevelt installation.
Overall, the Roosevelt's upgrade represents a forward-leaning step toward integrating unmanned aviation into carrier operations, reshaping logistics and force employment for carrier air wings in the years ahead.
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