US Navy receives first upgraded Fire Scout
Northrop Grumman has delivered the first MQ-8C upgraded Fire Scout UAV to the US Navy, the company announced on 19 July.
The upgraded VTOL UAV was received by the navy in preparation for upcoming ground and flight testing, which will be conducted at the Naval Air Systems Command test range. Prior to conducting its first flight, ground testing will be carried out to ensure that the UAV works correctly and communicates with the GCS.
‘The endurance upgrade doubles the time on station of the MQ-8 system and will help reduce the workload for the ship’s crew by cutting the number of times the crew will need to be in flight quarters,’ said George Vardoulakis, VP of medium tactical systems for Northrop Grumman, in a company statement.
The upgraded Fire Scout will have increased endurance and a 30% greater ranger than the previous design, according to the company. The new system uses a commercial Bell 407 airframe with modified controls to meet the US Navy requirement.
Under a rapid development effort the US Navy plans to procure 30 upgraded aircraft, and Northrop Grumman is currently under contract to produce 14. The first deployment of the system is scheduled for 2014.
The MQ-8C is an upgraded version of the MQ-8B which is currently being used by the US Navy, which operates on navy frigates and is operational in Afghanistan.
This milestone for the Fire Scout programme follows the news that the MQ-8B was integrated with BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) in September 2012, although it is unclear at present whether the MQ-8C Fire Scout will also be integrated with the weapon.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Royal Navy selects Animal Dynamics parafoil UAV for second phase of Heavy Lift challenge
With a payload capacity of 135kg, the Stork STM can fly up to 400km using a parafoil wing to generate lift.
-
IDEX 2023: Autel Robotics showcases DJI challenger drone
Autel Robotics presented its Dragonfish series and EVO Max 4T at IDEX 2023, hoping to challenge DJI's market dominance with the latter.
-
BAE and Innovaero debut Strix, Australia’s first domestic armed VTOL UAS
At the Avalon Airshow, BAE Systems Australia debuted Australia’s first domestically designed, built and armed VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) uncrewed air system (UAS), the Strix.
-
Enhanced autopilots pave way to autonomy for US multi-engine jets
The USAF has commissioned a year-long autonomy study by Reliable Robotics for large jet aircraft.
-
IDEX 2023: Black Eagle UAV gets miniature airborne radar
Integrating the radar into the Steadicopter UAS allows the rotorcraft to spot potential maritime threats.