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Naval
Defense Industry News - USA |
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Northrop
Grumman Delivers Additional MQ-8C Fire Scout VTOL UAV to the U.S. Navy |
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Northrop
Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has delivered the second MQ-8C Fire Scout
unmanned helicopter to the U.S. Navy after completing final assembly
at the company's unmanned systems center in Moss Point, Miss. The aircraft
is joining the first one delivered to Naval Base Ventura County, Point
Mugu, Calif., to conduct flight testing before using the system for
operational missions in 2014. |
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The Northrop Grumman-built MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter completed
its first flight Oct. 31 from Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu,
Calif. The flight validated the autonomous control systems of the aircraft.
The MQ-8C provides the U.S Navy with increased endurance, range, and
payload capacity. (Photos by Alan Radecki)
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"Since
2006 we have conducted final assembly of the earlier MQ-8B Fire Scout
aircraft from our Moss Point facility, so we have a lot of manufacturing
experience there," said George Vardoulakis, vice president for
medium range tactical systems, Northrop Grumman. "With the MQ-8C
variant being assembled there as well, we can use the same expertise
and quality processes already developed."
The MQ-8C Fire Scout is the Navy's newest unmanned helicopter that can
fly twice as long and carry three times more intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance payloads than the existing variant. |
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The Northrop Grumman-built MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter completed
its first flight Oct. 31
(Video: Northrop Grumman) |
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To prepare
the second MQ-8C Fire Scout for flight operations, a series of ground
and flight tests will occur to validate payload integration and that
communications between the ground control system and the aircraft are
working properly.
Including the two test aircraft, 14 new Fire Scouts are currently under
contract to be built. The Navy's current plan is to purchase 30 MQ-8C
Fire Scouts. |
