Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout

{{Short description|Unmanned Helicopter}}  {{Infobox aircraft | name = MQ-8C Fire Scout | logo = | logo_size = | image = File:MQ-8C Fire Scout prepares to land on RWY 27 at Naval Air Warfare Center's Sea Test Range at Point Mugu.jpg | alt = | caption = An MQ-8C landing at NAS Point Mugu | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = UAV helicopter | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = | manufacturer = Northrop Grumman <br> Bell Helicopter | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Development testing | owners = | primary_user = United States Navy | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = 38<ref name="seapower31jan23">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=31 January 2023|title=Navy Is Sustaining 10 Operational MQ-8C Fire Scout UAVs; Rest in Storage|url=https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-is-sustaining-10-operational-mq-8c-fire-scout-uavs-rest-in-storage/|access-date=|website=Seapower Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202092946/https://seapowermagazine.org/navy-is-sustaining-10-operational-mq-8c-fire-scout-uavs-rest-in-storage/|archive-date=2 February 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 2019 | retired = | first_flight = 2013 | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = Bell 407 <br> Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}

The '''Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout''' (known as the '''Fire-X''' during development) is an unmanned helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Navy. The MQ-8C has autonomous take-off and landing capability. It is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces.

The MQ-8C airframe is based on the Bell 407, with the avionics and other systems developed from the MQ-8B Fire Scout. It first flew in October 2013<ref name=GAO-15-342SP>{{cite web | url=http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/668986.pdf#page=125 | pages=117–8 | title= GAO-15-342SP DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs | publisher=US Government Accountability Office | date=March 2015 | access-date=15 July 2015 }}$1726.1m remains to be spent on procurement with 96 airframes to be acquired which will all be MQ-8C, the total budget mixes in cheaper MQ-8B's.</ref> and achieved initial operational capability in June 2019.<ref name="ain10july19">[https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-07-10/mq-8c-cleared-operations MQ-8C Cleared for Operations]. ''Aviation International News''. 10 July 2019.</ref>

==Design and development== [[File:Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout on display at the 2015 Australian International Airshow.jpg|thumb|A MQ-8C Fire Scout on display at the 2015 Australian International Airshow ]]

In May 2010, Northrop Grumman announced plans to fly a Bell 407 helicopter modified with autonomous controls from the MQ-8B. Named Fire-X, it was to demonstrate an unmanned cargo resupply capability to the US Navy.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-northrop-offers-fire-x-concept-for-unmanned-341471/ "Northrop offers Fire-X concept for unmanned resupply"]. Flightglobal.com, May 4, 2010.</ref> In December 2010, the unmanned Fire-X completed its first flight at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/fire-x-first-flight-revives-teams-bid-for-cargo-uas-market-351009/ "Fire-X first flight revives team’s bid for cargo UAS market"]. Flightglobal.com, December 16, 2010.</ref> In April 2012, Northrop Grumman received a $262.3 million contract from the Navy to build the newly designated MQ-8C Fire Scout. The work included two developmental aircraft and six low-rate production aircraft initially. The Navy wanted 28 MQ-8Cs for naval special operations forces.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/northrop-contracted-to-build-new-firescout-variant-371014/ "Northrop contracted to build new Firescout variant"]. Flightglobal.com, April 24, 2012.</ref>

In March 2013, the Navy incorporated the Rolls-Royce 250-C47E engine into the MQ-8C for a 5 percent increase in hot and high power, 2 percent reduced fuel consumption, 8 percent increase in rated takeoff power, and better reliability.<ref>[http://www.rolls-royce.com/news/press_releases/2013/04032013_military_helicopters.jsp Rolls-Royce Launches Latest M250 Engine Variant] - Rolls-Royce.com, March 4, 2013</ref> The Bell 407-based MQ-8C has an endurance of 12 hours, a range of {{convert|150|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}}, and a payload capacity of about {{convert|318|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/video-mq-8c-flies-from-usn-destroyer-407449/ VIDEO: MQ-8C flies from USN destroyer] - Flightglobal.com, December 24, 2014</ref> It has twice the endurance and three times the payload as the MQ-8B.<ref name="navyreco23dec14">[http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2285 Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout VTOL UAV completes first ship-based test period with US Navy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230054214/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2285 |date=2014-12-30 }} - Navyrecognition.com, 23 December 2014</ref>

In early July 2013, Northrop Grumman delivered the first MQ-8C to the Navy. Ground testing was done to ensure that the systems worked properly and communicated with the ground control station prior to conducting the first flight. The MQ-8C shares software, avionics, payloads, and ship ancillary equipment with the MQ-8B.<ref>[http://www.northropgrumman.com/MediaResources/Pages/NewsArticle.aspx?art=http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/xml/nitf.html?d=10041122 First Upgraded MQ-8C Fire Scout Delivered to U.S. Navy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710040730/https://www.northropgrumman.com/MediaResources/Pages/NewsArticle.aspx?art=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irconnect.com%2Fnoc%2Fpress%2Fxml%2Fnitf.html%3Fd%3D10041122 |date=2018-07-10 }} - Northrop Grumman press release, July 19, 2013</ref> The MQ-8C was expected to fly in early October 2013, and be deployed in late 2014. The APKWS II was to be added to the C-model sometime after 2016,<ref name="shortly">[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/auvsi-northrop-close-to-completing-firescout-weapon-tests-389492/ Northrop close to completing Firescout weapon tests] - Flightglobal.com, 14 August 2013</ref><ref name=Fire_Scout_Afghan_ends>[http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130816/NEWS04/308160001/Fire-Scout-ends-Afghan-mission-future-includes-new-variant-LCS-work Fire Scout ends Afghan mission; future includes new variant, LCS work] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222022427/http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130816/NEWS04/308160001/Fire-Scout-ends-Afghan-mission-future-includes-new-variant-LCS-work |date=2014-12-22 }} - Militarytimes.com, August 16, 2013</ref> but ship integration issues and limited magazine space put the effort on hold,<ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/navy-league/2018/04/09/weaponization-of-unmanned-fire-scout-helicopter-on-hiatus-until-2023/ Weaponization of unmanned Fire Scout helicopter ‘on hiatus’ until 2023]. ''Defense News''. 9 April 2018.</ref> and it was eventually discarded.<ref name="usni9july19">[https://news.usni.org/2019/07/09/navy-declares-unmanned-mq-8c-fire-scout-helicopter-mission-capable Navy Declares Unmanned MQ-8C Fire Scout Helicopter Mission Capable]. ''USNI News''. 9 July 2019.</ref>

In September 2013, the MQ-8C Fire-X delivered to the Navy turned on its engines for 10 minutes in preparation for first flight. First flight was scheduled for early to mid-October, although the exact date was not determined, as such tests are often delayed by minor system problems. The MQ-8C flight test regime was for six months.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/northrop-grumman-mq-8c-makes-first-engine-runs-390870/ Northrop Grumman MQ-8C makes first engine runs] - Flightglobal.com, September 24, 2013</ref>

The MQ-8C Fire Scout first flew on 31 October 2013. It flew for 7 minutes in restricted airspace using autonomous controls at Naval Base Ventura County. It flew a second time hours later that day to an altitude of 500 ft. The MQ-8C was jointly operated by Northrop Grumman and the Navy.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/video-mq-8c-fire-scout-completes-first-flight-392469/ VIDEO: MQ-8C Fire Scout completes first flight] - Flightglobal.com, November 1, 2013</ref> Northrop Grumman delivered the second MQ-8C in November 2013. They were under contract to build 14 helicopters.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/navy-receives-second-mq-8c-393491/ Navy receives second MQ-8C] - Flightglobal.com, November 25, 2013</ref>

In December 2014, the MQ-8C began testing aboard the destroyer {{USS|Jason Dunham|DDG-109|2}}, executing 22 landings and recoveries in less than four hours.<ref name="ndm17dec14">[https://archive.today/20141221233233/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=1702 Navy to Start Competition for New Fire Scout Radar] - Nationaldefensemagazine.org, 17 December 2014</ref> Testing was completed on 19 December, executing 32 takeoffs and recoveries over three flights.<ref name="navyreco23dec14"/><ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/video-mq-8c-flies-from-usn-destroyer-407449/ Video]</ref> The MQ-8C will be ready to perform surface warfare missions in 2018 and mine countermeasure missions in 2020.<ref>[http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/avalon-2015-rocket-firings-planned-fire-scout/ Rocket firings planned for Fire Scout] - Shephardmedia.com, February 24, 2015</ref> The aircraft's first deployment is expected for 2016 to give Littoral Combat Ships a {{convert|50|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}}-radius ISR capability.

Northrop Grumman flew the MQ-8C demonstrator installed with their AN/ZPY-1 STARLite Radar, although there was no requirement for an MQ-8C radar at the time.{{cn|date=October 2022|reason=unreliable or copyvio source removed}} In July 2014, the Navy began seeking information for a radar for the MQ-8C, with surface search, synthetic aperture radar, inverse SAR, and weather mode capabilities.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/new-radar-sought-for-mq-8c-401845/ New radar sought for MQ-8C] - Flightglobal.com, July 22, 2014</ref> Although the AN/ZPY-4 has been installed on some B-model Fire Scouts, the larger C-model can accommodate a larger and more powerful radar.<ref>[http://breakingdefense.com/2014/12/fire-scout-grows-up-drone-getting-radar-rockets-2016-ioc/ Fire Scout Grows Up: Drone Getting Radar, Rockets, 2016 IOC] - Breakingdefense.com, December 17, 2014</ref> The Fire Scout program office investigated whether to equip the airframe to perform more missions, or to focus on manned-unmanned teaming with larger MH-60S/R Seahawk helicopters.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/navy-seeks-maritime-radar-for-northrop-mq-8c-fire-sc-416435/ Navy seeks maritime radar for Northrop MQ-8C Fire Scout] - Flightglobal.com, 4 September 2015</ref>

In May 2016, NAVAIR signed a contract for the Osprey 30 lightweight AESA radar for the MQ-8C, the first system of its type to offer full spherical coverage with no moving parts.<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/osprey-radar-selected-for-mq-8c-fire-scout-426250/ Osprey radar selected for MQ-8C Fire Scout] - Flightglobal.com, 10 June 2016</ref> The 360-degree, {{convert|50|kg|lb|abbr=on}} airborne radar uses fixed panels distributed around the body of aircraft, mounting antennas weighing just over {{convert|11|kg|lb|abbr=on}} each.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/naval-aviation/2016/06/10/fire-scout-drone-uav-radar/85690866/ Italian Radar To Equip US Navy's Fire Scout Drones] - Defensenews.com, 10 June 2016</ref> The radar is classified as the AN/ZPY-8 and will be retrofitted onto the Navy's MQ-8C's.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vavasseur |first1=Xavier |title=First Deployed MQ-8Cs Will Be Equipped With Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 Radar |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/05/first-deployed-mq-8cs-will-be-equipped-with-leonardo-an-zpy-8-radar/ |website=Naval News |date=8 May 2020 |access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref>

In December 2014, the first operational MQ-8C was delivered to the US Navy.<ref name=navdrn-8Cdeliver>{{cite web |title=Northrop Grumman Delivers First Operational MQ-8C Fire Scout to the US Navy |url=http://www.navaldrones.com/Fire-X.html |website=navaldrones.com |access-date=April 13, 2015 |date=December 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316074624/http://www.navaldrones.com/Fire-X.html |archive-date=March 16, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its final developmental flight was completed in April 2015, after 450 hours completed in 327 flights.<ref>[http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=5902 Photo release: MQ-8C Fire Scout completes developmental flight test] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131252/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=5902 |date=2016-03-04 }} - NAVAIR.Navy.mil, 4 May 2015</ref> In August 2015, Northrop Grumman demonstrated the MQ-8C's endurance with an 11-hour flight.<ref>[http://www.deagel.com/news/US-Navy-MQ-8C-Fire-Scout-Demonstrates-Flight-Endurance-of-More-Than-Ten-Hours_n000014386.aspx US Navy MQ-8C Fire Scout Demonstrates Flight Endurance of More Than Ten Hours] - Deagel.com, 25 August 2015</ref> In November 2015, the MQ-8C completed a 3-week operational assessment period to assess system performance, endurance, and reliability of the unmanned helicopter over 83.4 hours in 11 flights. To date, the aircraft logged 730 flight hours over 427 flights. Ship-based testing is expected to begin in 2017.<ref>[http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3291 U.S. Navy MQ-8C Fire Scout VTOL UAV Completes Operational Assessment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205180510/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3291 |date=2015-12-05 }} - Navyrecognition.com, 1 December 2015</ref> In July 2018, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 concluded the initial operational test and evaluation of the MQ-8C, conducted aboard the USS ''Coronado''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/81610/mq-8c-fire-scout-completes-initial-operational-test-and-evaluation?from_rss=1 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |title=MQ-8C Fire Scout completes initial operational test and evaluation |first=Richard |last=Scott |date=July 9, 2018 |quote=Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX 1) has concluded initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) of the US Navy’s (USN’s) MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned air system (UAS) from the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Coronado (LCS 4).}}</ref>

In June 2019, the MQ-8C was declared mission capable. In tandem with a change in focus for the LCS involving increasing the ship's lethality, the MQ-8C's role was changed to focus on providing targeting and surveillance data. While the helicopter could carry 7-tube APKWS guided rocket pods, the LCS only has one weapons magazine used to store all the ship's weapons and didn't provide much space for loading weapons onto the aircraft. Instead of being a weapons platform, the MQ-8C will use its long endurance and radar to provide the LCS with enhanced over-the-horizon targeting capabilities.<ref name="ain10july19"/><ref name="usni9july19"/>

By January 2023, the U.S. Navy had procured 38 MQ-8Cs. 10 are used for operations while the rest are kept in storage. All are kept on the West Coast operated by Helicopter Sea Combat Squadrons 21 and 23 to support the MCM package of ''Independence''-class LCS.<ref name="seapower31jan23"/>

=== Retirement === As of May 2024, the Navy will end operational employment of the MQ-8C at the end of FY2024. Sundown will follow at the end of FY2026.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tegler |first=Jan |title=US Navy's MQ-8C Fire Scouts fly into retirement just two years after entering operational service |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/us-navys-mq-8c-fire-scouts-fly-into-retirement-just-two-years-after-entering-operational-service/158500.article#:~:text=%E2%80%9COperational%20employment%20of%20the%20MQ,year%202024%20ends%20in%20September. |access-date=2 June 2024 |work=Flight Global |date=29 May 2024}}</ref>

==Operators== ;{{USA}} *United States Navy

==Specifications== right|450px

{{Aircraft specs |prime units? = kts |ref=Northrop Grumman<ref>[http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/FireX/Documents/Fire-X_Brochure.pdf "MQ-8C Fire-X Data Sheet"] ''Northrop Grumman''. Retrieved 22 April 2015.</ref> |crew=0 |capacity = 2,950 lb (1,338 kg) |length ft= 34.7 |length m= 10.6 |height ft= 10.9 |height m= 3.3 |rot dia ft= 36.6 |rot dia m= 11.2 |rot number = 1 |max takeoff weight lb= 6000 |max takeoff weight kg= 2721 |eng1 name= Rolls-Royce 250-C47B |eng1 number= 1 |eng1 shp= 813 |eng1 kw= 606 |max speed kts= 140 |endurance= 15 hours maximum |ceiling ft= 20000 }}

==See also== {{aircontent |see also= |related= * Bell 407 * Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout |similar aircraft= * AR-2000 |lists= *List of active United States military aircraft }}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout}} * [http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/FireScout/Pages/default.aspx MQ-8C Fire Scout page on northropgrumman.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027131645/https://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/FireScout/Pages/default.aspx |date=2019-10-27 }} * [http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/FireX/Pages/default.aspx MQ-8C Fire-X page on northropgrumman.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027131643/https://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/FireX/Pages/default.aspx |date=2019-10-27 }} * [https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/air/fire-scout Fire Scout page on northropgrumman.com] * [http://www.navair.navy.mil/product/mq-8c US Navy MQ-8 Fire Scout page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812125452/http://www.navair.navy.mil/product/mq-8c |date=2019-08-12 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:MQ-08 Fire Scout}} Category:Unmanned helicopters Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles of the United States Category:2010s United States military reconnaissance aircraft Category:Airborne military robots MQ-008C Fire Scout Category:2010s United States helicopters Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout Category:Aircraft first flown in 2013 Category:Single-rotor helicopters Category:Aircraft with skid landing gear