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The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

Boeing’s production-representative MQ-25 Stingray completes first flight, advancing US Navy carrier-based unmanned aerial refuel

Boeing’s first production-representative MQ-25 Stingray completed its maiden flight on April 25, 2026, marking a key step toward deploying the world’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling capability for the US Navy. The milestone supports an unmanned tanker concept intended to integrate with carrier air operations.

2026-04-25T10:35:10.238680-07:00

Washington Post

CENTCOM confirms USS George H.W. Bush completes third Nimitz-class carrier presence in Middle East

2026-04-23T13:34:21.870022-07:00

DefenseNews.com

China sends 24 fighters toward Taiwan as Liaoning carrier transits Taiwan Strait

2026-04-21T15:49:49.000748-07:00

DVIDS / U.S. DoD

Boeing and U.S. Navy complete initial flight tests of powered JDAM-LR (GBU-75) for carrier air wing integration

2026-04-20T06:11:33.155146-07:00

News Timeline

The Aviationist

Boeing’s production-representative MQ-25 Stingray completes first flight, advancing US Navy carrier-based unmanned aerial refuel Boeing’s first production-representative MQ-25 Stingray completed its maiden flight on April 25, 2026, marking a key step toward deploying the world’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling capability for the US Navy. The milestone supports an unmanned tanker concept intended to integrate with carrier air operations.

2026-04-25T10:35:10.238680-07:00

Boeing’s production-representative MQ-25 Stingray completes first flight, advancing US Navy carrier-based unmanned aerial refuel

Washington Post

CENTCOM confirms USS George H.W. Bush completes third Nimitz-class carrier presence in Middle East CENTCOM says the USS George H.W. Bush has arrived in the command’s area of responsibility, bringing the U.S. to a three-carrier, nuclear-powered Nimitz-class posture operating in/near the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran. The deployment adds combat options as President Trump presses for progress in peace talks with Tehran.

2026-04-23T13:34:21.870022-07:00

CENTCOM confirms USS George H.W. Bush completes third Nimitz-class carrier presence in Middle East

Breaking Defense

Northrop Grumman to deliver surface electronic-warfare (SEWIP) configuration for US aircraft carriers by 2028 Northrop Grumman plans to deliver a SEWIP surface electronic-warfare configuration tailored for US aircraft carriers in 2028, with a separate configuration earmarked for destroyers. The announcement underscores how navies are standardizing EW fits across major surface combatants while maintaining ship-specific variants.

2026-04-22T07:34:28.190777-07:00

Northrop Grumman to deliver surface electronic-warfare (SEWIP) configuration for US aircraft carriers by 2028

DefenseNews.com

China sends 24 fighters toward Taiwan as Liaoning carrier transits Taiwan Strait China deployed 24 fighter jets toward Taiwan in a show of force while the PLAN carrier Liaoning sailed through the Taiwan Strait, marking an escalation in near-term cross-strait military signaling. Taiwan responded by deploying air patrol forces, underscoring rising operational tempo and friction around airspace access.

2026-04-21T15:49:49.000748-07:00

China sends 24 fighters toward Taiwan as Liaoning carrier transits Taiwan Strait

insidedefense.com

U.S. Navy reopens Ford-class future amid design-and-cost review; possible cancellation of follow-on carriers The U.S. Navy is conducting a comprehensive review of the Ford-class aircraft carrier design and cost, with the service’s top leadership not ruling out canceling future iterations. The effort follows White House criticism of technologies including the carriers’ magnetic catapults, and includes a design-baseline review for CVN-82 to boost lethality before proceeding with CVN-83 procurement.

2026-04-21T10:28:16.698087-07:00

U.S. Navy reopens Ford-class future amid design-and-cost review; possible cancellation of follow-on carriers

DVIDS / U.S. DoD

Boeing and U.S. Navy complete initial flight tests of powered JDAM-LR (GBU-75) for carrier air wing integration Boeing and the U.S. Navy have completed early flight demonstrations of the powered GBU-75 Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range (JDAM-LR) variant at the Navy’s Point Mugu Sea Range. The tests validated long-range capability on flights covering roughly 200 nautical miles, with next steps focused on carrier integration for the Carrier Air Wing.

2026-04-20T06:11:33.155146-07:00

Boeing and U.S. Navy complete initial flight tests of powered JDAM-LR (GBU-75) for carrier air wing integration

aviationnews.eu

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier on track for full operational capability by end-2026, bolstering carrier aviation reach Reports citing Chinese state media and military analysts say the Type 003/001A follow-on carrier Fujian—China’s third aircraft carrier—could achieve full operational capability by the end of 2026. The vessel is described as the newest and largest in the fleet, introducing catapults while expanding China’s naval power and global reach.

2026-04-19T15:09:24.204125-07:00

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier on track for full operational capability by end-2026, bolstering carrier aviation reach

Associated Press

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) sets post-Vietnam deployment record at 296 days The Navy’s newest and largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), has completed 296 days of deployment—breaking the longest post-Vietnam War-era deployment record. The carrier’s run began with its departure from Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025.

2026-04-15T15:15:08.188569-07:00

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) sets post-Vietnam deployment record at 296 days

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Aircraft Carrier News

Boeing’s production-representative MQ-25 Stingray completes first flight, advancing US Navy carrier-based unmanned aerial refuel

CENTCOM confirms USS George H.W. Bush completes third Nimitz-class carrier presence in Middle East

China sends 24 fighters toward Taiwan as Liaoning carrier transits Taiwan Strait

Boeing and U.S. Navy complete initial flight tests of powered JDAM-LR (GBU-75) for carrier air wing integration

News Timeline