MDCX

Also known as

MDCX
MDCX™
Skunk Works MDCX

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works MDCX is a software-first uncrewed-system command-and-control platform for open-architecture UAV control, documented as the backbone of the U.S. Navy UMCS MD-5 ground control station for MQ-25A and as a common-control demonstrator with MQ-20 Avenger and smaller uncrewed aircraft.

MDCX, Uncrewed system command-and-control software platform, Support Equipment

Image source: MDCX product page

Connected Systems

MDCX is treated as a relationship-only command-and-control platform because the cited sources describe development, shipboard-control, and flight-test roles rather than direct combat use.

Connected system	MDCX role	Documented context
UMCS MD-5/MD-5E Ground Control Station	Core autonomy and C2 software	Lockheed Martin describes MDCX as the backbone of the Navy station used for MQ-25A control, and U.S. Fleet Forces identifies MDCX inside the first shipboard UAWC installation.
MQ-25A Stingray	Ground-control component	MDCX was selected for Boeing's MQ-25A in 2020 and controlled the Navy MQ-25A first flight in 2026.
MQ-20 Avenger	Third-party uncrewed-aircraft integration	GA-ASI says the Navy used an MD-5 GCS with MDCX to command an MQ-20 Avenger over a PLEO datalink in November 2024.
Vigilance, Indago 2, and Stalker	Allied multi-vehicle demonstration	Lockheed Martin says MDCX commanded Group 1 and Group 2 UAS while Vigilance provided mission and sensor management in a UK demonstration.

Sources: MDCX product page; Skunk Works' MDCX Controls Boeing MQ-25A First Flight; First MQ-25 Unmanned Air Warfare Center Installed Aboard Bush; GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger MD-5 GCS demonstration; Lockheed Martin Demos Next-Gen Multi-Domain Autonomy.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Skunk Works
Type: Uncrewed system command-and-control software platform
Service note: 2020s-present
Produced: 2020-present

Specifications

System type: Software-first uncrewed-system command-and-control platform
Control scope: Manages multiple unmanned systems from a single interface
Security: Multi-level-secure command and control for compliant UAVs
Architecture: Open architecture with Open Mission Systems, a Universal Command & Control Interface message set, and MLS-guarded software
Deployment form: Scales from a carrier-deck console to a backpack-size laptop
Program role: Selected in 2020 as the ground control component for Boeing's MQ-25A
Navy station: Backbone of the U.S. Navy UMCS MD-5 Ground Control Station
Shipboard installation: U.S. Fleet Forces identifies MDCX inside the first fully operational and integrated UMCS MD-5E Ground Control Station aboard USS George H.W. Bush
Demonstrated aircraft: MQ-20 Avenger surrogate, MQ-25A Stingray, Indago 2 quadcopter, and Stalker fixed-wing UAS

Timeline

MDCX Key Events

Jan 1, 2020
Selected for MQ-25A ground control
Lockheed Martin said MDCX was selected as the ground control component for Boeing's MQ-25A and became the backbone of the Navy's UMCS MD-5 ground control station.
Sources: Skunk Works' MDCX Controls Boeing MQ-25A First Flight
Nov 5, 2024
MQ-20 commanded-autonomy demonstration
GA-ASI said the U.S. Navy used an MD-5 Ground Control Station with Lockheed Martin's MDCX autonomy platform to command an MQ-20 Avenger during a live PLEO-datalink demonstration.
Sources: GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger MD-5 GCS demonstration, U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Demonstrate First Live Control of an Uncrewed Air Vehicle by UMCS and MDCX
Dec 23, 2024
First shipboard UAWC installation reported
U.S. Fleet Forces said the first Unmanned Air Warfare Center aboard USS George H.W. Bush included the fully operational UMCS MD-5E Ground Control Station and Lockheed Martin's MDCX.
Sources: First MQ-25 Unmanned Air Warfare Center Installed Aboard Bush
Apr 27, 2026
MQ-25A first flight controlled by MDCX
Lockheed Martin said MDCX controlled the U.S. Navy MQ-25A Stingray's first flight, describing the system as the Navy's foundational C2 platform for the Air Wing of the Future.
Sources: Skunk Works' MDCX Controls Boeing MQ-25A First Flight
Jun 4, 2026
Lockheed links MDCX to the Vigilance suite
Lockheed Martin's feature page says MDCX and Vigilance formed a live demo of uncrewed system command and control built on open systems architecture.
Sources: Lockheed Martin Demos Next-Gen Multi-Domain Autonomy

Architecture Notes

Architecture area	Reader context
Open standards	Lockheed Martin ties MDCX to Open Mission Systems and Universal Command and Control Interface messaging for third-party platform integration.
Security	The product page and 2026 autonomy feature describe multi-level security and MLS-guarded software for secure UAV command and control.
Deployment scale	The platform is described as scaling from a carrier-deck console to a backpack-size laptop, which explains why the record is cataloged as support equipment rather than an aircraft or munition.
Program boundary	Current public sources support development, test, and demonstration context; they do not document operational armed-conflict use of MDCX itself.

Media