Northrop Grumman’s MQ-8C Fire Scout prepares to complete a precision landing on a sloped surface at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu in preparation for at-sea testing. Photo courtesy Northrop Grumman.

by Scott Kesselman



Northrop Grumman Corp. successfully completed testing of its MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned aerial system at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu in preparation for at-sea testing later this year.



The Fire Scout, which performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for the U.S. Navy, underwent sloped takeoff and landing testing, electromagnetic testing to assure compatibility with emitters like radar, and dynamic interface testing.



“The sloped takeoff and landing tests are designed to be as real as it gets to actually operating on a navy ship,” says Capt. Patrick Smith, Fire Scout program manager at Naval Air Systems Command. “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.”