The United States Navy is advancing plans to equip carrier air wings with a broader mix of unmanned systems. These drones are being developed to support roles ranging from aerial refueling to strike operations and battlefield support. This shift in carrier operations is being reported through discussions with the U.S. Naval Institute, highlighting a significant evolution in how carrier groups may operate in the future, especially in high-threat environments.
Rear Admiral Andrew Loizel, who leads naval aviation policy, outlined three core pathways for integrating drones with catapult launch platforms and carrier air groups. The first pathway envisions vehicles capable of operating in high-threat zones for extended periods, sustaining missions even under heavy enemy resistance. The second emphasizes the rapid execution of defensive and offensive maneuvers in the air, followed by immediate return to the carrier for replenishment. The third pathway imagines drones that accompany manned fighters, potentially carrying extra missiles or electronic warfare gear to bolster overall mission capability.
Loizel highlighted that removing a pilot from certain designs would free space for a larger fuel load. A greater fuel capacity translates into extended range, enabling the carrier to stay farther from hostile anti-ship weapons. This approach is viewed as essential given assessments of potential threats from near-peer competitors in the region, where maneuver and reach can shape the balance of power at sea.
Current testing includes the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned tanker, which can operate up to about 500 nautical miles from a carrier. It carries roughly 6.8 tons of fuel and can replenish the F-35C and F/A-18E/F in midair. Beyond fueling, officials indicate the platform could be repurposed to carry weapons or reconnaissance gear as mission requirements evolve, underscoring the adaptable role of drones in carrier logistics and combat support.
Earlier discussions have touched on reports from China regarding a naval asset described as a carrier designed to operate unmanned aerial vehicles. The vessel is reportedly outfitted with a deck prepared for drones, unmanned surface vessels, and autonomous submarines. Beijing has described it as a naval research platform with a bright color scheme to mark testing and development activity. Observers note that the ship may also serve combat purposes, particularly in seabed research and seabed-deployment exercises that could support submarine operations and minefield studies, illustrating the breadth of what unmanned capabilities can enable at sea.
These developments reflect a broader shift in modern naval doctrine toward flexible force projection and extended-range persistence. Ongoing conversations about drone enabled refueling, strike, and support missions show a careful balance between crewed and unmanned assets. The goal is to maximize safety, reach, and effectiveness in contested environments while preserving operational flexibility across the fleet. The evolving set of capabilities is likely to influence training, logistics, and carrier tasking as planners seek to maintain strategic advantages across the spectrum of maritime operations, shaping how air wings are organized, trained, and deployed in the future, via the U.S. Naval Institute.