The US Navy’s new Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned air vehicle has been flown at sea for the first time, carrying out 22 take-offs and precision landings from the destroyer USS Jason Dunham.
The aircraft was delivered to the USN at the beginning of December, following 12 months of land-based testing at Point Mugu, California, which led on to the dynamic interface testing that will help clear the aircraft for routine ship-board operations.
Northrop Grumman
"The MQ-8C Fire Scout's flights from the USS Dunham represent a significant navy milestone,” says Capt Jeff Dodge, Fire Scout programme manager at Naval Air Systems Command. “This is the first sea-based flight of the MQ-8C, and the first time an unmanned helicopter has operated from a destroyer.”
George Vardoulakis, vice-president for medium range tactical systems at Northrop Grumman, adds: "These dynamic interface tests are an essential part in clearing the operational envelope of the system, and are proving the system's ability to operate off any air-capable ship.
"We are on track to validate all of the critical performance parameters of this navy asset and ready the system for deployment and operational use."
Northrop Grumman
The MQ-8C derives from the Bell Helicopter 407, has a 12h endurance, a range of 150nm (278km) and a payload capacity of some 318kg (700lb).
Source: FlightGlobal.com
