Skunk Works within Lockheed Martin successfully supported the first operational flight of the MQ-25A Stingray using the MDCX command-control platform. MidAmericaSt. The flight, which took place at St. Louis Airport, was controlled through MDCX software, which forms the core of the US Navy’s Aircraft Carrier Unmanned Mission Control System (UMCS) MD-5 Ground Control Station. MDCX was selected as the ground control component for Boeing’s MQ-25A program in 2020; It allowed operators to command and monitor the aircraft throughout its autonomous taxi, takeoff, flight and landing.
US Navy officials stated that this milestone demonstrates that unmanned aerial vehicles can be safely controlled from aircraft carrier-based systems and marks significant progress towards the integration of such platforms into future air fleet operations. The MDCX platform uses an open architecture that supports safely controlling multiple unmanned systems from a single station. This feature aims to contribute to the capabilities developed within the scope of the US Navy’s Air Wing of the Future concept.
The MQ-25A program aims to provide unmanned aerial refueling capability based on aircraft carriers. Thus, it is planned to increase the operational range of naval aviation and enable manned and unmanned platforms to operate together.
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