The
second MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter conducts its first test
flight Feb. 12 from Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, Calif.
The first aircraft completed its initial flight in October 2013 and
has flown 66 hours to date. The MQ-8C air vehicle upgrade will provide
longer endurance, range and greater payload capability than the MQ-8B,
which is currently deployed aboard USS Elrod (FFG 55) in the Mediterranean. |
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.
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. |
