Northrop Grumman, Ultra demonstrate unmanned ASW capability
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.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![AUSA 2025: AeroVironment showcases new variant of Switchblade loitering munition family]()
AUSA 2025: AeroVironment showcases new variant of Switchblade loitering munition family
The new Switchblade 400 was on display alongside new variants of existing drones: the Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20.
-
![AUSA 2025: Boeing and Leonardo partner to pursue US Army rotary training contract]()
AUSA 2025: Boeing and Leonardo partner to pursue US Army rotary training contract
Leonardo’s AW119T helicopter will be offered as a solution for the Flight School Next contract, an initiative which aims to overhaul the US Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.
-
![AUSA 2025: IAI presents its bid for US Army’s next-generation VTOL UAS requirement]()
AUSA 2025: IAI presents its bid for US Army’s next-generation VTOL UAS requirement
The OmniRaider uncrewed aerial system is described by Israel Aerospace Industries as an “Americanised” version of its ThunderB-NG vertical take-off and landing UAS of which there are hundreds in service.
-
![AUSA 2025: Lockheed Martin conducts first ground-based demo of JAGM Quad Launcher]()
AUSA 2025: Lockheed Martin conducts first ground-based demo of JAGM Quad Launcher
The first live-fire demonstration of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Quad Launcher was tested against a ground vehicle, with further tests against a UAS target planned for the system next month.
-
![AUSA 2025: Sikorsky’s uncrewed Black Hawk to fly next year]()
AUSA 2025: Sikorsky’s uncrewed Black Hawk to fly next year
The uncrewed UH-60L Black Hawk or U-Hawk is built around the company’s Matrix autonomy technology and, after less than a year of development, is expected to fly in 2026.
