Second MQ-8C Fire Scout takes flight

14th February 2014 - 08:48 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

RSS

The second MQ-8C Fire Scout built by Northrop Grumman for the US Navy has flown for the first time at Naval Base Ventura County. The Northrop Grumman and US Navy team is preparing for ship-based flights which will begin later in 2014.

Current tests are focused on validating the flight capabilities of the MQ-8C. The first flight of the MQ-8C occurred in October 2013, and testing conducted to validate autonomous control systems. Since then the system has conducted 41 flights totalling 66 hours.

George Vardoulakis, vice president for medium range tactical systems at Northrop Grumman, said: ‘The addition of the second MQ-8C means we can begin testing on more components and equipment needed to operate the system as an intelligence-gathering platform. This includes installing and conducting tests on the full sensor suite.’

Fire Scout is being developed to provide ship-based commanders the ability to maintain awareness of a specified area or keep an eye on a target of interest for long periods of time via the use of on-board sensors. The sensors can capture full-motion video, identify targets and then distribute the information in real time.

Author

The Shephard News Team

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News and Defence Insight …

Read full bio

More from Uncrewed Vehicles

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

Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS

The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024

AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards

The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official

Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.