The State Department has fined RTX (Raytheon) $200 million after announcing that it violated regulations on the export of US defence…
![UAWC](https://defenceredefined.com.cy/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/UAWC-scaled.jpg)
The US Navy recently installed the world’s first Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier, where Air Vehicle Pilots (AVPs) will control future airborne operations utilizing the MQ-25™ Stingray aerial refueling Unmanned Systems.
Also read: First aerial refueling of an F/A-18 Super Hornet with an unmanned aerial vehicle is a fact – VIDEO
According to a relevant announcement, its installation was a product, among others, of a multi-year effort coordinated across multiple ship availability periods.
The CVN-based (nuclear-powered aircraft carrier) control room, known as the UAWC, includes software and hardware systems that make up the first fully operational and integrated Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS) MD-5E Ground Control Station (GCS). UMCS is the system-of-systems required for the MQ-25 air vehicle command and control and is critical to unmanned aircraft refueling operations.
CVN 77’s UAWC lays the foundation for how the U.S. Navy will operate and control unmanned aircraft, and perhaps other unmanned vehicles, with UMCS. These systems will initially support the MQ-25 but also future unmanned systems such as those of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
The GCS, developed by the US Navy, includes Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works® Multi Domain Combat System (MDCX™), the power behind the GCS, along with additional supporting equipment and hardware. The hardware installed in the racks and cockpits is the baseline for the production systems currently being fabricated for installation on CVNs 70, 71, and 76 beginning in fiscal year 2025.
Early next year, CVN 77 will lead the first at-sea testing of the UAWC’s operational networks, building on initial network testing with a simulated GCS that took place in January aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
This will be the first time the AVPs from Unmanned Carrier-Launched Multi-Role Squadron (VUQ) 10 will operate the MD-5 from an aircraft carrier.
When operational, MQ-25 will provide an aerial refueling capability to extend the range and flexibility of the carrier air wing.
Also read: Lockheed Martin | The Sniper® Pod advanced for network-centric warfare
READ MORE
MSI Defense Solutions | 6 EAGLS C-UAS systems to US Army
MSI Defense Solutions has delivered the first counter-UAS system, EAGLS, for use by the US Army. Through the Rapid Acquisition Authority…
Serbia | Signing of a contract for the acquisition of 12 Rafale fighter aircraft
Serbia will acquire 12 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation for 2.7 billion euros, President Aleksandar Vucic announced…
National Guard | Armed Forces Day is celebrated on September 8
September 8, the feast day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, has been established by the Republic of Cyprus as Armed Forces Day…
Serbia | Reinstatement of compulsory military service – Volunteer service for women
The Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, has confirmed the reinstatement of compulsory military service in Serbia…
Turkey | Release of propaganda documentary in response to the Famagusta series
The provocations of Turkey continue on the occasion of Netflix’s screening of the series Famagusta, which has to do with the invasion of…
Red Sea | Difficult towing of the Greek-owned tanker Sounion
According to information from Operation ASPIDES, since September 1st, the company has been assisting by offering protection to the…
Raytheon | Fined $200 million by the State Department
The State Department has fined RTX (Raytheon) $200 million after announcing that it violated regulations on the export of US defence…
United Kingdom | Suspension of 30 arms export licenses to Israel
Britain will immediately suspend 30 of its 350 arms export licenses to Israel because there is a risk the equipment could be…