| MQ-8C Fire Scout | |
|---|---|
| |
| An MQ-8C landing at NAS Point Mugu | |
| Role | UAV helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman Bell Helicopter |
| First flight | 2013 |
| Introduction | 2019 |
| Status | Development testing |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 38[1] |
| Developed from | Bell 407 Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout |
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 also 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, while the avionics and other systems are developed from those used on the MQ-8B Fire Scout. It first flew in October 2013[2] and achieved initial operational capability on 28 June 2019.[3]
- ^ "Navy Is Sustaining 10 Operational MQ-8C Fire Scout UAVs; Rest in Storage". Seapower Magazine. 31 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023.
- ^ "GAO-15-342SP DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs" (PDF). US Government Accountability Office. March 2015. pp. 117–8. Retrieved 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.
- ^ MQ-8C Cleared for Operations. Aviation International News. 10 July 2019.