https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_MQ-8_Fire_Scout
The Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter
developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Armed Forces. The
Fire Scout is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial
fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces. The
initial RQ-8A version was based on the Schweizer 330, while the enhanced MQ-8B
was derived from the Schweizer 333. The larger MQ-8C Fire Scout variant is based
on the Bell 407.
RQ-8A
As the US Navy was withdrawing its RQ-2 Pioneers from service, it began to seek
a second generation UAV. 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 46 km/h (29 mph)
wind. The UAV was to fly 190 hours before planned maintenance.
The initial prototype of the Fire Scout was piloted in initial tests, flying
autonomously for the first time in January 2000. 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 Fire Scout was to be fitted with a sensor ball turret that carries
electro-optic and infrared cameras, and a laser range finder. 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
control system was to be fitted onto a ship, or could be carried on a Humvee
light vehicle for US Marine service.
Although 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. However, the development program continued, and
Northrop Grumman pitched a range of improved configurations to anyone who was
interested. As it turned out, the U.S. Army was very interested, awarding a
contract for seven improved RQ-8B evaluation machines in late 2003. In 2006, it
was redesignated MQ-8B.
The MQ-8B features a four-blade main rotor, in contrast to the larger-diameter
three-blade rotor of the RQ-8A, to reduce noise and improve lift capacity and
performance. The four-blade rotor had already been evaluated on Fire Scout
prototypes. They increase gross takeoff weight by 500 pounds (230 kg), to 3,150
pounds (1,430 kg) with payloads of up to 700 pounds (320 kg) for short-range
missions. The length of the MQ-8B is 23.95 feet (7.30 m), the width is 6.2 feet
(1.9 m), and the height is 9.71 feet (2.96 m).
The MQ-8B is fitted with stub wings which serve both an aerodynamic purpose as
well as an armament carriage location. Weapons to be carried include Hellfire
missiles, Viper Strike laser-guided glide weapons, and, in particular, pods
carrying the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a laser-guided 70 mm
(2.75 in) folding-fin rocket, which the Army saw as ideal for the modern
battlefield. The Army was also interested in using the Fire Scout to carry up to
200 pounds (91 kg) of emergency supplies to troops in the field.
The MQ-8B is being modified to permit rapid swap out of payload configurations.
The current sensor configuration of a day/night turret with a laser target
designator will remain an option. Alternate sensor payloads in consideration
include a TSAR with Moving Target Indicator (MTI) capability, a multispectral
sensor, a SIGINT module, the Target Acquisition Minefield Detection System
(ASTAMIDS), and the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL). The Army wanted the Fire
Scout to operate as an element of an integrated ground sensor network as well.
Role
UAV helicopter
Manufacturer
Northrop Grumman
First flight
2000
Introduction
2009 (MQ-8B)
Status
MQ-8B: active service
MQ-8C: flight testing
Primary user
United States Navy
Number built
30 (MQ-8B)
Program cost
$3,060.6m(FY15) (including MQ-8C)
Unit cost
MQ-8B: US$14.6m (FY15) (ex R&D)
Developed from
Schweizer 330 and 333
Variants
Sikorsky S-434
Developed into
Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout
The U.S. Navy briefly grounded the MQ-8B after two aircraft crashed within a
week. In the first incident, a Fire Scout reportedly crashed off the coast of
Africa on 30 March after it was unable to land on the frigate Simpson following
a surveillance mission. On 6 April 2012, another Fire Scout crashed in
Afghanistan. An investigation into the crash in Afghanistan determined the cause
was a faulty navigation system. The cause of the crash near Simpson remained
less clear, tougher maintenance procedures were put in place to prevent faulty
aircraft from going on-mission. The Fire Scout was back flying over Afghanistan
by May, and returned to sea-based ISR "anti-piracy" operations by August.
On 5 December 2014, a Navy MQ-8B successfully flew off of a U.S. Coast Guard
cutter, the USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750), for the first time. The Fire Scout was
controlled from a control station located on the Bertholf. The Coast Guard
intends to use the results of the demonstration to inform decisions on acquiring
a UAS to enhance persistent maritime surveillance capabilities while lowering
operational costs.
On 16 October 2016, the USS Coronado (LCS-4) deployed to Singapore with two
MQ-8B Fire Scouts, which for the first time had the Telephonics AN/ZPY-4(V)1
radar, giving them a beyond the horizon broad area search and track capability
to track up to 200 targets with surface search, terrain mapping, emergency
beacon detection, and weather avoidance modes.
Specifications (MQ-8B)
General characteristics
Crew: 0
Payload: 600 lb (272 kg)
Length: 23.95 ft (7.3 m)
Rotor diameter: 27.5 ft (8.4 m)
Height: 9.71 ft (2.9 m)
Empty weight: 2,073 lb (940.3 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,150 lb (1,430 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 115 knots (213 km/h)+
Cruise speed: 110 knots (200 km/h)
Combat radius: 110 nmi (203.7 km) with 5+ hours on station
Endurance: 8 hours (typical), 5 hours fully loaded
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
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