Open menu Search

Northrop and Ultra move towards production-ready MQ-8 sonobuoy launcher

11th February 2021 - 09:00 GMT | by Tim Martin in London

RSS
A collaboration between Northrop Grumman and Ultra Electronics could hold the key to new ASW capabilities for the MQ-8C Fire Scout UAV.

Northrop Grumman and Ultra Electronics plan on co-designing and manufacturing a new sonobuoy launcher for the MQ-8C Fire Scout, as they further develop ASW capabilities for the aircraft.

An Ultra prototype launcher was used to carry and deploy ‘G’-class sonobuoys (measuring 42cm in length) during a Fire Scout large area multi-static acoustic search test off the coast of California in October 2020 — a demonstration that could compel the USN to operate the MQ-8C in ASW missions.

‘What we’re working on now is going from a prototype [sonobuoy launcher] to doing more in-depth engineering and working towards a production system,’

Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®

A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.

LEARN MORE
Tim Martin

Author

Tim Martin


Tim Martin is Air Editor for Shephard Media, based in Belfast. 

Tim has experience writing …

Read full bio

Share to

Linkedin