Northrop integrates more systems on MQ-8C
Northrop Grumman obtained an $11.64 million order from US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on 8 September, to provide non-recurring engineering for qualification testing and integration of UAV common automatic recovery systems and multi-platform anti-jam GPS navigation antenna integrated upgrades into the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter.
Work will be performed in San Diego, California (90%); and Moss Point, Mississippi (10%), and is expected to be completed in January 2023.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that the MQ-8C combines the reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition architecture of the USN’s MQ-8B Fire Scout with the range, payload and cargo capabilities of the Bell 407 helicopter.
NAVAIR declared IOC of the MQ-8C Fire Scout in June 2019, clearing the way for fleet operations from 2021.
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