US Navy trials Fire Scout for Expeditionary Advance Base Operations
Northrop Grumman revealed on 17 August that its MQ-8C Fire Scout uncrewed rotary-wing aircraft has successfully provided ISR and targeting capabilities in a recent demonstration of the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept.
For the ship-to-shore transition demonstration, an MQ-8C was launched from Naval Base Ventura County in Point Mugu, California, simulating a ship-based departure.
‘The Navy conducted a control system hand-off of the MQ-8C Fire Scout from Point Mugu to San Clemente Island, California, demonstrating the ship-to-shore transition capability of the platform in a maritime expeditionary environment,’ Northrop Grumman stated.
The MQ-8C was recovered and redeployed rapidly with the help of a Portable Mission Control Station, which is a ground station designed to aid Fire Scout basing in austere locations on land, helipad operations in an advanced forward location, and logistics support from ship flight decks.
‘With identical ship-based hardware, screen configuration and software, operations remain consistent across all ship classes,’ Northrop Grumman added.
EABO focuses on a form of expeditionary warfare that involves the employment of mobile, low-signature, operationally relevant and relatively easy-to-maintain forces.
Lance Eischeid, Fire Scout programme director at Northrop Grumman, said: ‘This EABO demonstration further proves the flexible utility of Fire Scout for expeditionary use from land and across multiple ship classes.’
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
-
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
-
Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.