MQ-8B laser designates for Seahawk
The US Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 has successfully used an MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned autonomous helicopter as a laser designator platform for an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter to fire an AGM-114N Hellfire missile, the navy announced on 27 September.
The MH-60S flew from Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, while the MQ-8B was operated from NAS Point Mugu. The missile firing took place on a designated live-fire range off the coast of NAS Point Mugu against a target moving at a speed of around 10-15 knots.
The MQ-8B detected the target location and transmitted it to the MH-60S for targeting. Once the target requirements were met, the MQ-8B lased the target and the MH-60S flew into position for the running missile shot.
The successful firing marks a major milestone in work to integrate the navy's manned and unmanned assets.
Lt Cdr Thanh Nguyen said: ‘We were able to validate the Fire Scout's ability to find and designate a target, which greatly expands the lethal range of the MH-60S while keeping air crews out of harm's way.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
