The operation validated the hardware and software of the carrier's MD-5C Ground Control Station as the Navy works to integrate autonomous refueling into carrier operations. The Secretary of the Navy described these capabilities as game-changing for naval power projection, stating that the service is continuing to refine flight profiles and remote connections.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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US Navy Controls MQ-25A Tanker From 2,100 Miles Away
Tech15 hours ago
Satellite communication technology allowed a carrier in the Pacific to operate an unmanned aircraft over Illinois during a recent flight test. The US Navy used a satellite command link to control an MQ-25A Stingray carrier based tanker from the USS Ronald Reagan at a distance of more than 2,100 miles, the service said.
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