Northrop Grumman's RQ-8A Firescout unmanned air vehicle will undergo its first armed trials later this month from the US Navy's China Lake weapons range in California. The demonstration will involve firing 70mm (2.75in) Hydra 70 unguided rockets from two "quad-pack" launchers.
In another key development for the programme, the more capable RQ-8Bmodel is also nearing its debut flight, and will conduct initial tests until June. Trials of the modified Schweizer 333 helicopter recently passed 100 sorties and more than 90 flight hours.
The US Navy is, meanwhile, looking to add anti-submarine warfare (ASW),mine detection and magnetic anomaly detection capabilities to the Firescout, which will achieve initial operating capability in 2007. It could also act as a communications relay between its Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk ASW aircraft and the future Littoral Combat Ship, Lt Cdr Dave Seagle from the USN's UAV Program Office told Bristol University's UAV Systems conference last month.
The RQ-8A has a maximum sensor payload of 90kg (200lb), with a growth aspiration for 135kg. The RQ-8B, which uses a four-blade main and tail rotor, will have a 270kg payload and a 5h time on station. This will increase to 9h with a 90kg payload, says Seagle.
The US Army will receive seven RQ-8Bs in 2007/8 for duties including signals intelligence gathering and chemical/biological warfare agent detection. The Firescout is also being offered to the UK as part of Northrop Grumman's proposed solution for its Watchkeeper UAV requirement.
Source: Flight International
