U.S. Navy Procuring 10 more MQ-8C Fire Scout VTOL UAVs from Northrop Grumman

: Posted On Thursday, 15 September 2016 09:37

Naval Forces News - USA

U.S. Navy Procuring 10 more MQ-8C Fire Scout VTOL UAVs from Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $108.1 million fixed-price, incentive-firm target contract from Naval Air Systems Command for the procurement of ten more MQ-8C Fire Scout vertical takeoff unmanned aerial vehicles (VTOL UAV).

The MQ-8C Fire Scout completes a test flight Nov. 19 2015 at the Point Mugu Sea Range in California. This flight was one of 11 operational assessment events to validate the system's performance, endurance and reliability. (U.S. Navy photo)

The Fire Scout is an unmanned helicopter system that provides real-time Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), target-acquisition, laser designation and battle management to tactical users without relying on manned aircraft or space-based assets. The MQ-8C Fire Scout’s airframe is based on the commercial Bell 407, a mature helicopter with more than 1,400 airframes produced and over 4 million flight hours.

It has the ability to autonomously take-off and land on any aviation-capable ship and from prepared and unprepared landing zones. This enhancement significantly increases range and endurance (more than double) and payload capacity (more than triple). The MQ-8C has completed developmental testing and is ready to deploy.