Army was very interested, awarding a contract for seven improved RQ-8B evaluation machines in late 2003. However, the development program continued, and Northrop Grumman pitched a range of improved configurations to anyone who was interested. MQ-8B An MQ-8B Fire Scout displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England, July 2007Īlthough progress on the project had been regarded as satisfactory, the Navy decided the Fire Scout didn't meet their needs after all, and cut funding for production in December 2001. The control system was to be fitted onto a ship, or could be carried on a Humvee light vehicle for US Marine service. It was to be controlled over a data link derived from the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV, operating over a line of sight to a distance of 172 miles (280 km). The Fire Scout was to be fitted with a sensor ball turret that carries electro-optic and infrared cameras, and a laser range finder. The Rolls-Royce 250-C20 turbine engine ran on JP-8 and JP-5 jet fuel (the latter of which has a higher flashpoint and is considered safe for shipboard storage and use). The initial prototype of the Fire Scout was piloted in initial tests, flying autonomously for the first time in January 2000. ![]() The RQ-8A Fire Scout, as it was named, was a derivative of the Schweizer three-passenger, turbine powered 330SP helicopter, with a new fuselage, new fuel system, and UAV electronics and sensors. The Ryan-Schweizer UAV was selected as the winner in the spring of 2000. Bell, Sikorsky, and a collaboration of Teledyne Ryan and Schweizer Aircraft submitted designs. There were three finalists in the competition, which was designated "VTOL-UAV" or "VTUAV". The UAV was to fly 190 hours before planned maintenance. The Navy requirement specified a vertical takeoff & landing ( VTOL) aircraft, with a payload capacity of 90 kg (200 lb), a range of 125 miles (200 km), an endurance on station of three hours at an altitude of 20,000 feet (6,100 m), and the ability to land on a ship in a 29 mph (47 km/h 13 m/s) wind. Design and development RQ-8A Īs the US Navy was withdrawing its RQ-2 Pioneers from service, it began to seek a second generation UAV. ![]() The MQ-8B was retired from service in October 2022. In February 2018, 23 MQ-8Bs were in service with the U.S. The larger MQ-8C Fire Scout variant is based on the Bell 407. ![]() The initial RQ-8A version was based on the Schweizer 330, while the enhanced MQ-8B was derived from the Schweizer 333. The Fire Scout is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces. The Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Armed Forces.
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