Newest Fire Scout Preps for Sea Testing

[SvenSvensonov]

The latest version of Navy’s Fire Scout reconnaissance drone is being readied for actual takeoff and landing from the deck of a Navy ship at sea, the company announced following recent test takeoffs and landings using a sloped platform at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, California.

“The … tests are designed to be as real as it gets to actually operating on a Navy ship,” Capt. Patrick Smith, Fire Scout program manager at Naval Air Systems Command, said in a statement. “The autonomous MQ-8C Fire Scout system is able to precisely track and understand the roll and pitch of the surface which resembles at-sea conditions.”

The same test platform was used previously to test the MQ-8B Fire Scout for ship-based operations. That unmanned aviation system began at-sea testing earlier this year. Northrop Grumman, the Navy’s prime contractor on the MQ-8, said initial ship-based flights of the C-model will take place before year’s end.

The MQ-8C model has flown 219 flights and 287 hours since its first flight nearly one year ago, on Oct. 31.

The most recent tests on UAS consisted of electromagnetic testing to ensure compatibility with ship-based emitters, such as radar, and the beginning of dynamic interface testing looking at deck handling and communications networks, according to Northrop Grumman.

“These tests enable a validation of our autonomous system and clear the way for dynamic interface testing onboard the ship,” said George Vardoulakis, the company’s vice president for Medium Range Tactical Systems.

The Navy said the newest model is about 35-feet long, making it about 3-feet longer than the MQ-8B version. Additionally, the 8C will have greater fuel capacity than the B model – 3,200 lbs versus 2,000 lbs – and will be able to carry nearly twice the B’s 3,150-lb payload.

What the MQ-8C does not have – at least yet – are weapons. The Navy began weaponizing the MQ-8B this past summer with laser-guided 2.75 inch, folding-fin rockets called the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System, or APKWS. The Fire Scout outfitted with the system successfully carried out land-based test firings, Smith said at the time.

From Newest Fire Scout Preps for Sea Testing | Defense Tech

Some Pictures of the MQ-8 FireScout UTUAV

 

[AMDR]

The latest version of Navy’s Fire Scout reconnaissance drone is being readied for actual takeoff and landing from the deck of a Navy ship at sea, the company announced following recent test takeoffs and landings using a sloped platform at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, California.

“The … tests are designed to be as real as it gets to actually operating on a Navy ship,” Capt. Patrick Smith, Fire Scout program manager at Naval Air Systems Command, said in a statement. “The autonomous MQ-8C Fire Scout system is able to precisely track and understand the roll and pitch of the surface which resembles at-sea conditions.”

The same test platform was used previously to test the MQ-8B Fire Scout for ship-based operations. That unmanned aviation system began at-sea testing earlier this year. Northrop Grumman, the Navy’s prime contractor on the MQ-8, said initial ship-based flights of the C-model will take place before year’s end.

The MQ-8C model has flown 219 flights and 287 hours since its first flight nearly one year ago, on Oct. 31.

The most recent tests on UAS consisted of electromagnetic testing to ensure compatibility with ship-based emitters, such as radar, and the beginning of dynamic interface testing looking at deck handling and communications networks, according to Northrop Grumman.

“These tests enable a validation of our autonomous system and clear the way for dynamic interface testing onboard the ship,” said George Vardoulakis, the company’s vice president for Medium Range Tactical Systems.

The Navy said the newest model is about 35-feet long, making it about 3-feet longer than the MQ-8B version. Additionally, the 8C will have greater fuel capacity than the B model – 3,200 lbs versus 2,000 lbs – and will be able to carry nearly twice the B’s 3,150-lb payload.

What the MQ-8C does not have – at least yet – are weapons. The Navy began weaponizing the MQ-8B this past summer with laser-guided 2.75 inch, folding-fin rockets called the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System, or APKWS. The Fire Scout outfitted with the system successfully carried out land-based test firings, Smith said at the time.

From Newest Fire Scout Preps for Sea Testing | Defense Tech

Some Pictures of the MQ-8 FireScout UTUAV

Interesting read. What kind of role do you think this would play in terms of naval recon?

 

[SvenSvensonov]

Interesting read. What kind of role do you think this would play in terms of naval recon?

It will supplement but not replace existing assets. The small size will allow a ship to carry up to 3 or 4 Firescouts instead of one SH-60, but the small size of the Firescout is also a limitation. It's too small to carry the large anti-ship or ASW weapons of naval helos and its sensor package isn't going to be what the SH-60 is either. It will be an advanced scout to help locate enemy ships and as a transport of supplies between ships and from ship to shore, as is already being done with in Afghanistan.

 

[F-22Raptor]

The US capability to monitor the maritime environment has grown significantly. P-8s, E-2Ds, Fire Scouts, and the upcoming Triton and UCLASS.....our ISR platforms are impressive!

 

[C130]

wonder if possible to slap a Naval Strike Missile or a MK 54 torpedo on it.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

wonder if possible to slap a Naval Strike Missile or a MK 54 torpedo on it.

For the older models the answer would be no. The Mk 54 light weight torpedo is over 600 pounds while the payload capacity of the MQ-8 was barely 600, but for this new C model which is larger than the older one the answer might be yes. The Naval Strike Missile is over 900 pounds and would be a major stretch in the capabilities of the MQ-8. This is the reason the MQ-8 will suppliment and not replace other assets.

 

[C130]

heh yeah, not really feasible.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

heh yeah, not really feasible.

Some of the older AGM-65 Mavericks are less than 600 pounds (around 450) and since the Maverick is already used in an Air-to-Surface anti-ship role this could be an option, though only one could be carried. Also the Brimstone is only 106 pound and is capable of anti-sea attacks. Currently the Brimstone is being tested on board the LCS ships and US drones, so it's an option too. The 45 pound AGM-176 Griffin is another option as is the AGM-144L naval Hellfire which is 100 pounds

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

hmm...top speed only 125mph....that may be tough to intercept a 75mph speedboat.

 

[Oldman1]

Considered that its similar to the Kiowa recon helo, it should do fine carrying heavier weapons compare to previous Firescouts.

 

[Aepsilons]

The latest version of Navy’s Fire Scout reconnaissance drone is being readied for actual takeoff and landing from the deck of a Navy ship at sea, the company announced following recent test takeoffs and landings using a sloped platform at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, California.

“The … tests are designed to be as real as it gets to actually operating on a Navy ship,” Capt. Patrick Smith, Fire Scout program manager at Naval Air Systems Command, said in a statement. “The autonomous MQ-8C Fire Scout system is able to precisely track and understand the roll and pitch of the surface which resembles at-sea conditions.”

The same test platform was used previously to test the MQ-8B Fire Scout for ship-based operations. That unmanned aviation system began at-sea testing earlier this year. Northrop Grumman, the Navy’s prime contractor on the MQ-8, said initial ship-based flights of the C-model will take place before year’s end.

The MQ-8C model has flown 219 flights and 287 hours since its first flight nearly one year ago, on Oct. 31.

The most recent tests on UAS consisted of electromagnetic testing to ensure compatibility with ship-based emitters, such as radar, and the beginning of dynamic interface testing looking at deck handling and communications networks, according to Northrop Grumman.

“These tests enable a validation of our autonomous system and clear the way for dynamic interface testing onboard the ship,” said George Vardoulakis, the company’s vice president for Medium Range Tactical Systems.

The Navy said the newest model is about 35-feet long, making it about 3-feet longer than the MQ-8B version. Additionally, the 8C will have greater fuel capacity than the B model – 3,200 lbs versus 2,000 lbs – and will be able to carry nearly twice the B’s 3,150-lb payload.

What the MQ-8C does not have – at least yet – are weapons. The Navy began weaponizing the MQ-8B this past summer with laser-guided 2.75 inch, folding-fin rockets called the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System, or APKWS. The Fire Scout outfitted with the system successfully carried out land-based test firings, Smith said at the time.

From Newest Fire Scout Preps for Sea Testing | Defense Tech

Some Pictures of the MQ-8 FireScout UTUAV

These will be invaluable assets especially for Carrier Strike Groups in constant ASW monitoring in fleet screen responsibilities. My question to you @SvenSvensonov : Will these be limited to only AB-class destroyers ? Or will these also be found in Ticonderoga-Class Cruisers, America-Class AAS ? Thanks.

 

[SvenSvensonov]

These will be invaluable assets especially for Carrier Strike Groups in constant ASW monitoring in fleet screen responsibilities. My question to you @SvenSvensonov : Will these be limited to only AB-class destroyers ? Or will these also be found in Ticonderoga-Class Cruisers, America-Class AAS ? Thanks.

They'll be used on anything that can and normally does carry a helo in the maritime environment. It's not a very elaborate answer, but it is the right one.

 

[Aepsilons]

They'll be used on anything that can and normally does carry a helo in the maritime environment. It's not a very elaborate answer, but it is the right one.

Thanks for confirming , buddy.