Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout
The Northrop Grumman MQ‑8 Fire Scout is a vertical‑take‑off and landing (VTOL) unmanned autonomous helicopter developed for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Its origins trace back to 2005 when Northrop Grumman won a joint Navy‑Marine demand for a ship‑based, rotary‑wing scout that could operate from destroyers, frigates and amphibious vessels. The prototype, based on the commercial Schweizer 330, first flew in 2006 and entered operational evaluation in 2008; the MQ‑8B entered service in 2010, later followed by the larger MQ‑8C variant derived from the Bell 407 airframe.
Key features include a 1,200‑kilowatt Pratt & Whitney PT6‑114A turbine, a fully autonomous flight‑control system, and a modular payload suite. Sensors such as an electro‑optical/infrared camera, synthetic‑aperture radar, and a laser designator give the Fire Scout persistent surveillance, targeting, and weapons‑release capabilities; the MQ‑8C can carry up to 800 pounds of external stores, including Hellfire missiles.
Its significance lies in extending the reach of naval surface combatants without putting crew at risk, providing real‑time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and demonstrating the viability of ship‑borne VTOL UAVs. The Fire Scout has shaped naval doctrine, influencing future designs like the MQ‑9B Sky Guardian and the upcoming carrier‑based UAV programs.
Key features include a 1,200‑kilowatt Pratt & Whitney PT6‑114A turbine, a fully autonomous flight‑control system, and a modular payload suite. Sensors such as an electro‑optical/infrared camera, synthetic‑aperture radar, and a laser designator give the Fire Scout persistent surveillance, targeting, and weapons‑release capabilities; the MQ‑8C can carry up to 800 pounds of external stores, including Hellfire missiles.
Its significance lies in extending the reach of naval surface combatants without putting crew at risk, providing real‑time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and demonstrating the viability of ship‑borne VTOL UAVs. The Fire Scout has shaped naval doctrine, influencing future designs like the MQ‑9B Sky Guardian and the upcoming carrier‑based UAV programs.
Classification
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Northrop Grumman
- Wikidata ID
- Q1521501