Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout

MQ-8C Fire Scout
An MQ-8C landing at NAS Point Mugu
Role UAV helicopter
Manufacturer Northrop Grumman
Bell Helicopter
First flight 2013
Introduction 2019
Status Development testing
Primary user United States Navy
Number built 38[1]
Developed from Bell 407
Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout (known as the Fire-X during development) is an unmanned helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Navy. The MQ-8C also has autonomous take-off and landing capability. It is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces. The MQ-8C airframe is based on the Bell 407, while the avionics and other systems are developed from those used on the MQ-8B Fire Scout. It first flew in October 2013[2] and achieved initial operational capability on 28 June 2019.[3]

  1. ^ "Navy Is Sustaining 10 Operational MQ-8C Fire Scout UAVs; Rest in Storage". Seapower Magazine. 31 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023.
  2. ^ "GAO-15-342SP DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs" (PDF). US Government Accountability Office. March 2015. pp. 117–8. Retrieved 15 July 2015.$1726.1m remains to be spent on procurement with 96 airframes to be acquired which will all be MQ-8C, the total budget mixes in cheaper MQ-8B's.
  3. ^ MQ-8C Cleared for Operations. Aviation International News. 10 July 2019.

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