Congress is directing the U.S. Navy to modify the aircraft carrier George Washington (CVN 73) to accommodate the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned refueling tanker.
The fiscal 2019 defense policy conference bill notes the Navy should modify CVN 73 during its four-year refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) maintenance period, which began in 2017 at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.
“The conferees believe that once fielded, the Navy should prioritize deploying the MQ-25 to the Pacific area of operations,” the conference report reads. “In order to enable such deployments, the conferees believe that it is imperative that CVN-73, as the potential next forward deployed aircraft carrier, undergo the necessary modifications and alternations during its RCOH to enable MQ-25 operations as soon as practicable.”
The bill gives the Navy wiggle room to complete necessary MQ-25 modifications during the RCOH or a single follow-on maintenance period, according to the report.
“Nothing in this language should be interpreted as prohibiting the full installation of MQ-25 alterations and equipment during RCOH should developments allow it,” the report reads. “Additionally, the conferees expect future Navy budgets will support this plan.”
A legislative aide told Aerospace DAILY it is imperative for the only forward deployed carrier is outfitted with the first carrier-based UAV.
The Navy requested $719 million in fiscal 2019 research and development funding for the MQ-25. The service anticipates downselecting to one vendor this summer for the air system, purchasing the first air vehicle in 2023 and entering initial operational capability in fiscal 2026. The service is the systems integrator for the program’s three segments: aircraft; carrier; and control system & connectivity.
