MQ-8C Fire Scout UAS nears shipboard testing
Northrop Grumman is gearing up to commence shipboard testing of the MQ-8C Fire Scout UAS, with precision sloped landing tests now complete at US Naval Base Ventura County.
The MQ-8C's first ship-based series of flights are planned for later in 2014, when it will conduct takeoff and landing tests on the deck of a US Navy vessel at-sea.
The MQ-8C is Northrop Grumman’s latest variant of its Fire Scout UAS, which is designed to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for the US Navy.
The MQ-8C is utilising the same sloped landing platform for autonomous system for takeoff and landings as the current MQ-8B model.
Patrick Smith, Fire Scout program manager at Naval Air Systems Command, said: ‘The sloped takeoff and landing tests are designed to be as real as it gets to actually operating on a navy ship. The autonomous MQ-8C Fire Scout system is able to precisely track and understand the roll and pitch of the surface which resembles at-sea conditions.’
George Vardoulakis, vice president for medium range tactical systems, Northrop Grumman, added: ‘The MQ-8C Fire Scout system is performing as predicted and as previously demonstrated during Fire-X testing back in 2011. These tests enable a validation of our autonomous system and clear the way for dynamic interface testing onboard the ship.’
The MQ-8C Fire Scout is in the midst of a comprehensive testing programme which most recently included electromagnetic testing, which assured compatibility with ship-based emitters (like radar); and an initial phase of dynamic interface testing, which looked at deck handling and communications networks. Since its first flight October 2013, the UAS has flown 219 flights and 287 hours.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet]()
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
![Tekever unveils new swarm-controlling UAS]()
Tekever unveils new swarm-controlling UAS
Tekever has manufactured the AR3, AR4 and AR5 UAS with all systems sharing common electronics and software architecture, which has enabled the reuse of ground segment elements within the new ARX UAS.
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
