First Operational MQ-8C Fire Scout Delivered to US Navy

Northrop Grumman has delivered the first of a possible 70 MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopters to the US Navy (USN).Based on the Bell 407 helicopter, the aircraft is a larger and more capable version of the MQ-8B Fire Scout. The MQ-8C has double the endurance and three times the payload capacity of the B-model. The C-model has a range of about 150 n miles and a payload capacity over 317 kg. It is outfitted to conduct ship-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The company is under contract to build 19 MQ-8Cs, including two test aircraft. The navy's total planned inventory for MQ-8 Fire Scout is 70 air vehicles. In addition to the 30 MQ-8Bs and 19 MQ-8Cs that have been procured to date, the programme will buy an additional 21 MQ-8C air vehicles. The MQ-8Cs first deployment is currently scheduled for 2016.
The USN conducted land-based MQ-8C flight tests in August to prepare for sea-trials. The first ship-board flight tests aboard USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) are scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. The trials will provide the navy with data to assess the system for operational use.
janes

MQ-8C Fire Scout readied for upcoming ship-trials

The US Navy has undertaken land-based flight tests of the MQ-8C Fire Scout in preparation of seat-trials later in the year.
The tests, saw the unmanned helicopter perform a series of take-offs and precision landings on sloped surfaces to simulate a ship at sea.
As the Bell 407-based MQ-8C uses the same autonomous take-off and landing systems as the already deployed Schweizer Aircraft 330-based MQ-8B, the tests were carried out primarily to verify their function on the larger platform.
janes

MQ-8B Fire Scout drone helicopters being deployed to Pacific later this year

The US Navy will soon deploy unmanned surveillance helicopters to the Pacific for the first time.
Four MQ-8B Fire Scouts will be aboard the USS Fort Worth — a littoral combat ship — when it leaves San Diego later this year.
The ship’s deployment to the Asia-Pacific theater will mark the start of a continuous LCS presence in the region.
The presence of the surveillance helicopters is sure to spark interest in a region where airborne cameras and sensors are multiplying rapidly.
The Air Force has been flying its unmanned RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance planes from Guam since 2010 and deployed them this summer to Misawa Air Base in Japan, seeking to boost its own surveillance capabilities following clashes with China over disputed islands in the South China Sea.
stripes

US Navy to equip MQ-8C UAV for electronic warfare

The US Navy plans to equip the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle with an electronic warfare capability through the development of a new external pod.
Work is scheduled to be completed in June 2015.
Developed from the Bell 407 manned helicopter, the MQ-8C Fire scout will provide an enhanced capability over its smaller MQ-8B namesake, which is modelled on the smaller Schweizer 330. The MQ-8C has a range of about 150 n miles and a payload capacity over 317 kg.
The USN is scheduled to receive 28 MQ-8Cs to augment the 168 MQ-8Bs it plans to operate in both the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and unmanned strike roles. Sea-trials of the MQ-8C aboard the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship are set to run through to early 2015, with the first deployment scheduled for 2016.
janes

Northrop Grumman-built MQ-8C Fire Scout First Flight

The Navy’s newest variant of the Fire Scout unmanned helicopter completed its first day of flying Oct. 31.
At 12:05 p.m. the MQ-8C Fire Scout took off and flew for seven minutes in restricted airspace to validate the autonomous control systems. The second flight that took off at 2:39 p.m. was also flown in a pattern around the airfield, reaching an altitude of 500 feet.
The MQ-8C air vehicle upgrade will provide longer endurance, range and greater payload capability than the MQ-8B.
The MQ-8C is a larger air vehicle, has a range of 150 nautical miles and a payload capacity of more than 700 pounds.
The MQ-8Cs will conduct initial shipboard testing on guided-missile destroyers (DDG)-class ships, but the program is looking into supporting littoral combat ship (LCS) missions. The Navy will continue to use the MQ-8B as it phases in the MQ-8C.
Initial operating capability for the MQ-8C is planned for 2016, with a potential for early deployment in 2014.
navair

MQ-8C First Flight this week

This week the newest Fire Scout variant, MQ-8C Fire Scout, will take to the skies for the first time.
MQ-8C is an RDC effort in response to an urgent request to provide maritime based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) at extended ranges from host ships in less than 24 months. First flight is set to occur this month, 18 months after the contract award to prime integrator, Northrop- Grumman.
Leveraging off the existing MQ-8 Fire Scout infrastructure, the C variant provides the Navy with double the endurance and triple the payload capability of its predecessor, allowing for 15+ hours of flight time and over 2,600 lbs. of payload. This increase in capability will allow us the opportunity to put additional weight, perhaps sensors, on the aircraft.
The MQ-8C, is a modified commercial Bell 407 helicopter to include additional fuel capability, upgraded engines and improved reliability to provide increased range and endurance and then integrated the majority of the MQ-8B avionics and payloads onto that air frame.
The MQ-8C will complete ground testing at Naval Air Station Pt. Mugu and also be integrated into the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) for maritime assessment.
navylive

MQ-8C Fire Scout Readies for Flight Operations

Northrop Grumman turned on the power to the U.S. Navy's first MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter and rotated the aircraft's four blades for the first time during initial ground testing and engine runs at Naval Base Point Mugu, Calif., Sept. 20.
Northrop Grumman is the Navy's prime contractor for the Fire Scout program and is currently under contract to produce MQ-8C aircraft for deployment beginning in 2014.
irconnect

Northrop Grumman's MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Helicopter Passes 5,000 Flight Hours Supporting Operations in Afghanistan

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter surpassed 5,000 flight hours while providing critical surveillance capabilities to field commanders in Afghanistan.
Since deploying to Afghanistan in 2011, the MQ-8 Fire Scout system has provided real-time airborne surveillance and targeting supporting counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs), provided targeting support and delivered real-time video to military forces on the ground.
northropgrumman

First Upgraded MQ-8C Fire Scout Delivered to U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy got its first look at the upgraded MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned system when Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered its first MQ-8C system this month.
Northrop Grumman is the Navy's prime contractor for the MQ-8 Fire Scout program of record. The company delivered the first MQ-8C aircraft to the Navy in early July in preparation for ground and flight testing.
irconnect

U.S. Navy launches new squadron of manned, unmanned helicopters

The U.S. Navy introduced its first squadron that combines combat helicopters with unmanned aerial vehicles at an air base near San Diego on Thursday, calling the approach the future of warfare.
The squadron of about 140 sailors, called the Magicians, will work off coastal combat ships that are smaller and faster than destroyers and aircraft carriers.

reuters

Fire Scout unmanned helicopter set deployment record

The U.S. Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter surpassed another milestone in March when the MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter completed its 600th deployed flight hour while embarked on USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49).
The unmanned helicopter, part of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, logged its 600th deployed flight hour March 31. This record exceeds the previous Fire Scout deployment milestone by 100 hours and will likely climb higher with nearly two months remaining on the frigate’s Mediterranean deployment.

navair

U.S. Navy orders six MQ-8Cs

The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a contract valued at more than $71 million to produce six additional next-generation Fire Scout unmanned helicopters. The Fire Scout endurance upgrade, designated the MQ-8C and based on Bell Helicopter's 407, will provide ship commanders with increased range, endurance and payload capacity over the current MQ-8B variant.

The Navy plans to purchase a total of 30 aircraft under a rapid development effort. Northrop Grumman is currently under contract to produce 14 Fire Scouts that are scheduled to begin deploying in 2014.

northropgrumman

MQ-8B exceeds 8,000 hour milestone aboard USS Bradley

After exceeding the 8,000-flight-hour mark Friday, an MQ-8B Fire Scout assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 Detachment 5 prepares to land aboard USS Robert G. Bradley for a "hot pump" and re-launch while conducting maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in the Mediterranean Sea March 11. Fire Scouts aboard Bradley are routinely flying 17-hour days while providing 12 hours on station ISR coverage in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.

navair

Navy issues hurry-up order to equip MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned helicopter with maritime surveillance radar

U.S. Navy officials have issued an urgent order to equip the service's MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter with the Telephonics Corp. RDR-1700 maritime-surveillance radar system.

The Northrop Grumman Corp. MQ-8 Fire Scout is a rotorcraft unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) deployed on Navy frigates, littoral combat ships, and other surface combatants for reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting.

MQ-9 REAPER PARA ITALIA/ MQ REAPER ITALY

Los primeros dos MQ-9 Reaper desarmados, de un total de seis para Italia van a ser entregados en Julio, junto a estaciones de contro terrestres, desde California a la base de Puglia al sur de Italia. Dos mas serán entregados este año 2010. La fecha de entrega se ha retrasado ya que inicialmente iban a ser entregados a finales de 2009.
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The first two of six unarmed MQ-9 Reaper UAVs that Italy has sought to order will be delivered in July. The UAVs, plus ground stations and support equipment, could be flown by cargo aircraft directly from California to the Reapers' base in Puglia in southern Italy.
Two more Reapers will be delivered by the end of 2010. The delivery schedule has slipped. Italian officials previously said they aimed to take delivery of the first Reapers by the end of 2009.
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Helicóptero no tripulado Fire Scout ayuda a detener traficantes/ Mayport ship's unmanned Fire Scout initiates cocaine seizure

Un helicóptero no tripulado del USS McInerney, basado en Mayport, detectó a unos traficantes a los cuales ayudó a detener. El MQ-8B Fire Scout estaba volando en una zona al este del Oceano Pacífico cuando detectó una embarcación sospechosa a la cual siguió durante tres horas. Tras esto la embarcación fue abordada por el equipo de asalto del USS McInerney, obteniendo un cargamento de unos 200 kg de narcóticos.
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A test flight of a Navy unmanned aerial vehicle embarked aboard the Mayport Naval Station-based USS McInerney led to the seizure of 132 pounds of cocaine this week.
While the unmanned MQ-8B Fire Scout was flying over the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the small craft locked onto a suspected drug smuggler, which it then followed for three hours. When the small “go-fast” craft met up with a fishing vessel to refuel, the embarked Coast Guard team on the McInerney moved in.
As well as the seized drugs, the Navy said, the smugglers were carrying another 440 pounds of narcotics, which they dumped.