• Home
  • Partners
  • Contact
  • Your news
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Defence Blog
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Land
  • Air
  • Naval
  • Missiles
  • Security
  • Photo
  • News
  • About Us
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Land
  • Air
  • Naval
  • Missiles
  • Security
  • Photo
  • News
  • About Us
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Defence Blog

U.S. Navy declares initial operational capability of MQ-8C unmanned helicopter

07:55 (GMT+0000) July 9, 2019
in Maritime Security, News
U.S. Navy declares initial operational capability of MQ-8C unmanned helicopter

Photo by Ensign jalen robinson

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability of the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter June 28 clearing the way for fleet operations and training.

According to a statement released by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the MQ-8 Fire Scout is a sea-based, vertical lift unmanned system that is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces.

“This milestone is a culmination of several years of hard work and dedication from our joint government and industry team,” said Capt. Eric Soderberg, Fire Scout program manager. “We are excited to get this enhanced capability out to the fleet.”

The MQ-8C variant is an endurance and payload upgrade to its predecessor, the MQ-8B, offering up to twelve hours on station depending on payload, and incorporates the commercial Bell 407 airframe.

The Northrop Grumman-built Fire Scout complements the manned MH-60 helicopter by extending the range and endurance of ship-based operations. It provides unique situational awareness and precision target support for the Navy.

The MQ-8C has flown over 1,500 hours with more than 700 sorties to date. Over the next few years, Northrop Grumman will continue MQ-8C production deliveries to the Navy to complete a total of 38 aircraft.

The MQ-8C will be equipped with an upgraded radar that allows for a larger field of view and a range of digital modes including weather detection, air-to-air targeting and a ground moving target indicator (GMTI). It will deploy with LCS in fiscal year 2021 while the MQ-8B conducts operations aboard LCS in 5th and 7thFleets.

* If you wish to report grammatical or factual errors within our news articles, you can let us know by using the online feedback form.

Tags: USA

Trending Now

Ankara threatens to close down U.S. Air Force base in Turkey
Aviation

Ankara threatens to close down U.S. Air Force base in Turkey

Dec 11, 2019

A senior Turkish official said that Ankara threatening to close down the U.S. Air Force Incirlik Air Base. Turkish...

Read more
Pentagon concerns spike in pro-Russian sentiment among U.S. troops

Pentagon concerns spike in pro-Russian sentiment among U.S. troops

Dec 9, 2019
Lockheed Martin’s experts details laser weapon program

Lockheed Martin’s experts details laser weapon program

Dec 13, 2019
Lockheed Martin to increase production of new Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles

Lockheed Martin to increase production of new Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles

Dec 14, 2019
U.S. Army awards new contracts for combined-arms squad prototypes

U.S. Army awards new contracts for combined-arms squad prototypes

Dec 12, 2019

Most Read

U.S. Navy declares initial operational capability of MQ-8C unmanned helicopter

South Korean Air Force releases video showing F-35 striking North Korea’s latest missile system

Leaked photos show new U.S. Army super cannon in stunning detail

U.S. Army awards BAE Systems with $249M to build and deliver M109A7 howitzers

U.S., Czech Republic agree to sale of H-1 helicopters

Top Headlines

U.S. Army awards BAE Systems with $249M to build and deliver M109A7 howitzers
Army

U.S. Army awards BAE Systems with $249M to build and deliver M109A7 howitzers

Dec 14, 2019

The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a $249,1 million to contract for the self-propelled howitzers, according to a statement...

Read more

U.S., Czech Republic agree to sale of H-1 helicopters

Northrop Grumman marks delivery of 1,000th Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile

Lockheed Martin’s experts details laser weapon program

U.S. Army conducted simultaneous intercept multiple threats during flight test

South Korean Air Force releases video showing F-35 striking North Korea’s latest missile system

Leaked photos show new U.S. Army super cannon in stunning detail

U.S. Army awards new contracts for combined-arms squad prototypes

Veteran Jobs

Find Veteran-Friendly Jobs. Search the largest free Veteran Job board to find jobs with veteran-friendly companies.
  • Got a news tip for our reporters?
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • Found a typo? Please let us know!
Privacy and Cookie Policy

© 2014 - 2019 The Defence Blog

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Land
  • Air
  • Naval
  • Missiles
  • Security
  • Photo
  • News
  • About Us
  • Contact

© 2014 - 2019 The Defence Blog

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In