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MQ-8C Fire Scout takes first flight from littoral combat ship

By Ryan Maass
The Fire Scout's flight from a littoral combat ship puts the unmanned helicopter one step closer to full operational capability, Northrop Grumman officials say. Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman
The Fire Scout's flight from a littoral combat ship puts the unmanned helicopter one step closer to full operational capability, Northrop Grumman officials say. Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman

April 17 (UPI) -- The MQ-8C Fire Scout, an unmanned helicopter being built for the U.S. Navy, took its first flight from a littoral combat ship earlier in April.

The sea trials took place off the coast of California aboard the Independence-class vessel USS Montgomery, and follows an earlier flight test aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunman. Manufacturer Northrop Grumman says the event puts the aircraft one step closer to full operational capability.

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"Fire Scout's autonomous technology coupled with the range and endurance of the MQ-8C airframe is truly a game-changer," Northrop Grumman's Leslie Smith said in a press release. "When the MQ-8C deploys with its advanced AESA maritime radar, the U.S. Navy will have unmatched situational awareness and the ability to provide sea control in any contested maritime environment."

The MQ-8C Fire Scout is marketed as the Navy's next-generation autonomous rotorcraft. Its airframe is based on the commercial Bell 407. The aircraft is designed to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

"We plan to have the MQ-8C Fire Scout deployed aboard multiple ships in the near future giving the fleet the persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting asset they need," program manager Capt. Jeff Dodge added.

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The Fire Scout's flight from a littoral combat ship, an offshore combatant vessel, marks the end of its Dynamic Interface testing phase.

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