Northrop Grumman, U.S. Navy Conduct Manned, Unmanned Helicopter Flight Tests 

Photo courtesy Northrop Grumman

 

By Priya Potapragada



Northrop Grumman Corp. and the U.S. Navy recently flew the unmanned MQ-8B Fire Scout simultaneously with the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter for the first time during a successful flight test.  



The purpose of the trial was to demonstrate how both aircraft increase a ship commander’s capability to gather intelligence aboard the littoral combat ship. The MQ-8B Fire Scout is designed to takeoff and land autonomously from any aircraft, and it can fly for five hours. It has logged more than 12,500 flight hours from land and sea. 



"Utilizing the Fire Scout in operational maritime scenarios with manned aircraft will prove to be a unique asset to our fleet," says Capt. Patrick Smith, Fire Scout program manager. "The sensors of the Fire Scout are providing complimentary situational awareness and precision targeting support for the MH-60R Sea Hawk and littoral combat ships."



The flight tests took place aboard the USS Freedom (LCS 1) off the coast of San Diego. The Scout is on its eighth surveillance and security mission at sea and also completed a two-year mission providing ground commanders intelligence in Afghanistan.



"Fire Scout is giving our warfighters enhanced persistent situational awareness," says George Vardoulakis, vice president, medium range tactical systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Fire Scout systems are providing critical information to the pilots of the MH-60R Sea Hawk and the sailors of the littoral combat ship to ensure that they are protected from maritime threats."