MQ-8C completes first ship-based flights

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.
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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.
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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.
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Second Northrop Grumman-Built MQ-8C Fire Scout Completes First Flight

Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy successfully flew the second MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter for the first time at NAS Point Mugu, Calif.
Current tests are focused on validating the flight capabilities of the MQ-8C before ship-based flights take place this summer.
Fire Scout uses on-board sensors to capture full-motion video, identify targets and then distribute the information in real time to various users.
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Northrop Grumman Delivers Additional MQ-8C Fire Scout to the U.S. Navy

Northrop Grumman Corporation has delivered the second MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter to the U.S. Navy after completing final assembly.
The aircraft is joining the first one delivered to Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, Calif., to conduct flight testing before using the system for operational missions in 2014.
The MQ-8C Fire Scout is the Navy's newest unmanned helicopter that can fly twice as long and carry three times more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance payloads than the existing variant.
Including the two test aircraft, 14 new Fire Scouts are currently under contract to be built. The Navy's current plan is to purchase 30 MQ-8C Fire Scouts.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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