Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout

The Northrop Grumman Corporation-developed MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Unmanned Aircraft System (VUAS) recently completed a flight under the command and control of a new company-developed STANAG 4586 compatible ground control station (GCS).

The recent flight tests took place the week of Sept. 21 at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG). The flights demonstrated the functionality of the ground control station (GCS) that will be used for future capability demonstrations with the company-owned P7 Fire Scout VUAS. Flight activities will continue at YPG to prepare for the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment at Fort Benning, Ga.

The GCS contains multiple radios for voice, secondary command and control and a Tactical Common Data Link for primary command and control and sensor data downlink. The operator stations are fully redundant with PC-based commercial off-the-shelf workstation components. The GCS intercommunication system is digital with an external wireless system for other crew members.

Mission planning is accomplished with the Army standard Aviation Mission Planning System. The graphical user interface makes use of the latest technologies and displays an intuitive Primary Flight Display that was developed with input from teams of experienced air vehicle operators. The Vehicle Specific Module can interface with any STANAG 4586 compatible Core Unmanned Control System (CUCS) module such as that used in the Army Universal/One System GCS.

"The recent flight test success at Yuma Proving Grounds continues to highlight Fire Scout's maturity and Northrop Grumman's innovative ability to continually add new capabilities," said Mike Roberts, principal investigator of the Ground Control Station and chief engineer for the Fire Scout, Class IV UAV. "These flights are a great prelude to demonstrating our VSM/CUCS with the Army's Universal/One System GCS."

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft system departs for first deployment

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, Md. –The MQ-8B Fire Scout made naval aviation history when the fleet deployed this revolutionary rotary wing unmanned aircraft system aboard the USS McInerney Monday.

Fleet introduction of the Fire Scout marks the first time a large, automated UAS has been delivered for ship board operation by sailors.

The Fire Scout departed with the 4th Fleet to assist during a counter-narcotics trafficking deployment. The aircraft will provide unprecedented situational awareness as the fleet employs its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities, said Capt. Tim Dunigan, Fire Scout program manager.

“This is a landmark event for the development of Fire Scout. Deploying the Fire Scout will allow the Navy to learn the operational strengths of the system. The USS McInerney will be critical in developing the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for the fleet to best exploit the war fighting capabilities of the Fire Scout system,” said Dunigan

Developmental testing to date demonstrated the aircraft’s readiness for deployment with the McInerney, leading to an Operational Evaluation during deployment and full integration in the fleet. The Northrop Grumman-built aircraft has completed over 600 hours of flight testing, with110 take-off and landings from the frigate.

"The Northrop Grumman team is excited to support the US Navy on the first deployment of the Fire Scout system. We look forward to providing the warfighter with this very capable complement to the H60 that is reliable and will evolve with the tactical Navy as they operate it," said Doug Fronius, Director, Tactical Unmanned Systems, Aerospace Systems, Northrop Grumman.

Continued flight tests and OPEVAL on the McInerney will prepare the aircraft for future missions on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The aircraft will be integrated on both variants of LCS. The concept for employment on the LCS is to embark a manned H-60 helicopter with the MQ-8B in support of surface warfare, mine counter measures and anti-submarine warfare missions.

Fire Scout will cost-effectively complement the manned helicopter, Dunigan said

Northrop Grumman Completes First Production Deliveries of the MQ-8B Fire Scout to the U.S. Navy

Northrop Grumman Corporation completed the first three MQ-8B Fire Scout production deliveries to the U.S. Navy, which completes the first year of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (VTUAV) program.
Two of the three Fire Scouts were deployed aboard the USS McInerney for use on a scheduled operational deployment to complete a Fire Scout Military Utility Assessment (MUA). Prior to the current deployment, Fire Scouts have been aboard the USS McInerney four times since December 2008, completing 110 ship takeoffs and landings and 45 landings with the harpoon grid, accumulating over 47 hours of flight time.
"Fire Scout's performance aboard the USS McInerney has continued to provide us with invaluable operational insight and enhance our ability to support the U.S. Navy," said George Vardoulakis, vice president of Tactical Unmanned Systems for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "And we are excited about the opportunity to work alongside the sailors of the USS McInerney for Fire Scout's first operational deployment."
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