Lockheed Martin powers second U.S. Navy drone station
The MDCX platform equips USS Ronald Reagan to command MQ-25A Stingray drones.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has powered a second operational MD-5C Ground Control Station for the U.S. Navy. The deployment doubled the fleet's command capacity for the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aircraft system over a five-month span, according to a company announcement on September 30, 2026.
The second system was installed aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in August 2026. It follows the first operational station delivered to USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in March 2026. Both systems are housed within the carriers' Unmanned Air Warfare Centers.
The MD-5C integrates government communications networks with Lockheed Martin's MDCX software and hardware. MDCX serves as the mission planning and execution platform that lets Navy personnel command and control the MQ-25A, extending carrier air wing range and freeing manned aircraft for other duties.
These two operational unmanned air warfare centers aboard CVN 71 and CVN 76 bring us closer to integrating unmanned carrier aviation into the fleet.
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