The Navy will leverage data from this demonstration to refine the programme’s requirements. Credit: US Navy.

The US Navy, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) partnered to demonstrated Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control Station’s (UMCS) first live control of an uncrewed aircraft (UAS).  

This milestone is part of an initiative to advance technology for future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The US Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation programme office (PMA-268) used the MQ-20 to demonstrate UMCS’s capability to command a variety of unmanned aircraft. 

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The joint demonstration showcased connectivity between the UMCS and GA-ASI’s CCA technology demonstration surrogate, the MQ-20 Avenger. The UMCS used the Skunk Works’ MDCX autonomy platform to control a MQ-20 (UAS). 

During the demonstration, the UMCS connected beyond line of sight to the MQ-20 via a proliferated low Earth orbit satellite constellation, transmitting flight control commands while receiving mission systems data.  

This flight marked the first instance of a GA-ASI UAS performing bi-directional communications using UMCS operation codes while executing autonomous behaviour. 

The demonstration took place with the MD-5 Ground Control Station (GCS) operating from the US Navy’s test facility at Patuxent River, Maryland, while the MQ-20 was flown from GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in El Mirage, California.  

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PMA-268 programme manager Daniel Fucito said: “UMCS is laying a foundation that will enable control of all unmanned carrier aircraft, starting with the MQ-25 aircraft. 

“The UMCS opens the door for efficiently introducing future unmanned systems into the complex carrier command and control architecture.” 

This collaboration with GA-ASI is part of a broader effort, supported by a Tri-Service Memorandum of Understanding, to develop critical sub-systems for CCA platforms. 

The Navy will leverage data from this demonstration to refine the programme’s requirements and advance key command and control technologies.  

The team plans to carry out additional digital and live surrogate test flights to further demonstrate autonomy, mission systems, crewed-uncrewed teaming, advanced communications, and more. 

In 2022, the US Navy completed the first lab integration event to demonstrate the capabilities of the MQ-25 Stingray uncrewed aerial refuelling aircraft’s Ground Control Station (GCS).