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Northrop Grumman, Ultra demonstrate unmanned ASW capability

3rd February 2021 - 15:46 GMT | by Shephard News Team

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Demonstration marked first use of a VTOL surrogate UAS to conduct a large area multi-static acoustic search.

Northrop Grumman and Ultra Electronics have showcased an ASW capability for the MQ-8C Fire Scout, the US-based company announced on 2 February.

This ASW demonstration (pictured) involved a modified and piloted Bell 407 helicopter in the role of MQ-8C Fire Scout surrogate, equipped with Ultra sonobuoy, receiver and processor equipment.

The demonstration, which took place in late October 2020, marked the first use of a VTOL surrogate UAS to conduct a large area multi-static acoustic search.

‘The mission payload and effects were controlled from the ground with the resultant ASW picture disseminated to locations across the globe,’ Northrop Grumman noted.

Adding ASW to the multi-mission capabilities offered by the MQ-8C would offer commanders ‘flexibility to employ not only UAS systems in this particular ASW role, but also utilise the increased availability of crewed aircraft more incisively against an expanded mission set’, noted Dan Redman, Fire Scout maritime mission expansion lead at Northrop Grumman.

The USN is yet to define any requirements for a UAS ASW capability, but it has shown interest in the possibilities and continues to support and monitor progress.

Last month, General Atomics demonstrated what it described as the first self-contained ASW capability for a UAS, using the MQ-9B SeaGuardian.

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MQ-8C Fire Scout