Katerina Swanson
The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Armed Forces. The MQ-8B offers more than double the mission radius and time on station than the prototype VTUAV. The MQ-8B features a four-blade main rotor, in contrast to the three-blade rotor of the RQ-8A, increasing gross takeoff weight by 230 kg. The MQ-8C has an endurance of 12 hours, a range of 170 miles, and a payload capacity of about 701 lb.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman Unmanned Systems |
| Service | USN, USMC |
| Propulsion | One Rolls-Royce 250C20W heavy fuel turboshaft engine |
| Airspeed | 110 knots |
| Range | 110 nm |
| Load | 600 pounds, including electro-optical/infrared sensor and laser |
| Mission | Unmanned Surveillance, Logistics |
| Vehicle endurance | >5 hours |
| Continuous operations | 12 hours |
| Coverage | 110 nautical miles from the launch site |
| Vehicle capabilities | UHF/VHF voice communications relay, electro-optical/infrared sensors, and a laser designator |
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What You'll Learn
The MQ-8B's four-blade rotor increases gross takeoff weight by 230 kg
The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for the United States Armed Forces. The MQ-8B is an enhanced version of the Fire Scout, derived from the Schweizer 333. It features a four-blade main rotor, which increases the gross takeoff weight by 230 kg, bringing it to a total of 1430 kg. This increased weight capacity allows for payloads of up to 700 pounds (320 kg) for short-range missions.
The four-blade rotor design improves lift capacity and performance while also reducing noise. This improved performance includes more than double the mission radius and time on station compared to the prototype VTUAV. The MQ-8B also offers increased power, fuel, and payload capacity. The MQ-8B is fitted with stub wings that serve both an aerodynamic purpose and as an armament carriage location.
The MQ-8B Fire Scout provides critical situational awareness, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting data to the forward-deployed warfighter. It has a range of 125 miles (200 km) and an endurance of three hours at an altitude of 20,000 feet (6,100 m). The MQ-8B complements the manned aviation detachments onboard Air Capable ships and is deployed alongside MH-60R HSM or MH-60S HSC detachments.
The MQ-8B has been used in various missions, including providing critical surveillance for U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, resulting in over 5,000 flight hours. It has also been deployed on naval frigates and integrated onto littoral combat ships (LCS). The Navy has ordered the Telephonics AN/ZPY-4 radar to expand the surveillance capabilities of the MQ-8B.
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The MQ-8B's stub wings serve as armament carriage locations
The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Armed Forces. The MQ-8B is an enhanced version of the MQ-8, derived from the Schweizer 333. The MQ-8B completed its first flight in December 2006 and was retired from service in October 2022.
The MQ-8B is fitted with stub wings, which serve both an aerodynamic purpose and as an armament carriage location. The stub wings can carry weapons such as Hellfire missiles, Viper Strike laser-guided glide weapons, and pods carrying the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). The APKWS is a laser-guided 70 mm folding-fin rocket that the Army considered ideal for the modern battlefield. The MQ-8B can carry three tube rocket launchers due to its limited payload.
The MQ-8B is being modified to allow for a rapid swap-out of payload configurations. The current sensor configuration includes a day/night turret with a laser target designator, 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 MQ-8B also has a four-blade main rotor, which reduces noise and improves lift capacity and performance compared to the three-blade rotor of the MQ-8A. The four-blade rotor increases the gross takeoff weight to 3,150 pounds (1,430 kg), with payloads of up to 700 pounds (320 kg) for short-range missions. The MQ-8B has a range of 110 nautical miles and an endurance of more than five hours, allowing for twelve continuous hours of operations.
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The MQ-8C has a 5% increase in hot and high power
The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for the United States Armed Forces. The MQ-8C is a larger variant of the MQ-8 Fire Scout and is based on the Bell 407.
The MQ-8C has twice the endurance and three times the payload capacity of the MQ-8B. It has an endurance of 12 hours, a range of 150 nautical miles, and a payload capacity of about 318 kilograms.
The MQ-8C shares software, avionics, payloads, and ship ancillary equipment with the MQ-8B. The MQ-8C was first delivered to the Navy in July 2013 and achieved initial operational capability on 28 June 2019.
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The MQ-8C has a 2% reduction in fuel consumption
The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for the United States Armed Forces. The MQ-8B variant, which first flew in December 2006, offers improved power, fuel, and payload capacity over its predecessor, the RQ-8A. It has a four-blade main rotor, increasing the gross takeoff weight by 230 kg to 1,430 kg, with payloads of up to 700 kg for short-range missions.
The MQ-8C Fire Scout, based on the Bell 407, is a larger variant of the MQ-8B. It incorporates the Rolls-Royce 250-C47E engine, which offers a 2% reduction in fuel consumption compared to previous models. This engine also provides a 5% increase in hot and high power and an 8% increase in rated takeoff power. The MQ-8C has twice the endurance and three times the payload capacity of the MQ-8B, with a range of 150 nautical miles and a payload capacity of about 700 lbs.
The MQ-8C's first flight took place on October 31, 2013, and it achieved initial operational capability in June 2019. The development of the MQ-8C, known as the Fire-X during its early stages, included a focus on autonomous take-off and landing capability. The MQ-8C is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support, and precision targeting support for ground, air, and sea forces.
The MQ-8C has undergone extensive testing and evaluation to ensure its performance, endurance, and reliability. It has been jointly operated by Northrop Grumman and the Navy, with the former delivering the first MQ-8C to the latter in July 2013. The MQ-8C has successfully executed numerous landings and recoveries during testing, showcasing its capabilities. The MQ-8C Fire Scout is a significant advancement in unmanned aerial vehicles, offering improved endurance, payload capacity, and reduced fuel consumption compared to its predecessor.
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The MQ-8C has an 8% increase in rated takeoff power
The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for the United States Armed Forces. The MQ-8B variant, which first flew in December 2006, features a four-blade main rotor that increases gross takeoff weight and improves lift capacity. It also has stub wings that serve both aerodynamic and armament carriage purposes. The MQ-8B is equipped with advanced precision weaponry and sensors, and can provide critical situational awareness, intelligence, and targeting data.
The MQ-8C is an improved variant of the MQ-8B, utilising avionics from the MQ-8B in a larger Bell 407 airframe. This variant first flew in October 2013 and achieved initial operational capability in June 2019. The MQ-8C offers a significant increase in endurance and payload capacity compared to its predecessor. While the MQ-8B has an endurance of five hours and a payload capacity of up to 700 pounds, the MQ-8C boasts an endurance of 12 hours and a payload capacity of about 700 pounds.
In March 2013, the Navy incorporated the Rolls-Royce 250-C47E engine into the MQ-8C, resulting in a 5% increase in "hot and high" power, a 2% reduction in fuel consumption, and an 8% increase in rated takeoff power. This engine enhancement also improved the reliability of the aircraft. The MQ-8C's increased power and endurance enable it to effectively support ground, air, and sea forces with reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting capabilities.
The MQ-8C has undergone extensive testing, including successful landings, takeoffs, and recoveries aboard the destroyer Jason Dunham in December 2014. The MQ-8C was expected to be ready for surface warfare missions in 2018 and mine countermeasure missions in 2020, with its first deployment anticipated for 2016. The MQ-8C's improved capabilities and endurance demonstrate Northrop Grumman's commitment to enhancing the operational effectiveness of unmanned aerial vehicles for the United States Navy and Armed Forces.
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Frequently asked questions
The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Armed Forces.
The MQ-8 Fire Scout is powered by a Rolls-Royce 250C20W heavy fuel turboshaft engine. The MQ-8C variant consumes 2% less fuel than the MQ-8B.
The MQ-8 Fire Scout has a range of 110 nautical miles. The MQ-8C variant has an increased range of 150 nautical miles.
The MQ-8 Fire Scout has a payload capacity of 600 pounds. The MQ-8C variant has an increased payload capacity of 701 pounds.
