The
MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter recently deployed with the USS
Coronado (LCS-4) to begin flight operations using its new maritime surveillance
radar. The AN/ZPY-4(V)1 radar, built by Telephonics Corporation, will
be used to improve the situational awareness of the Fire Scout operators
and the ship’s crew in maritime and littoral environments. The
AN/ZPY-4(V)1 will also improve Fire Scout’s target classification
for maritime and overland targets. |
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Helicopter
Sea Combat Squadron Two Three (HSC-23) will operate both the Fire Scout
and the MH-60S Seahawk to increase situational awareness and threat
warning in a high-traffic littoral environment.
“This air package will significantly improve the Navy's surface
search capabilities for LCS and its action group,” said Capt.
Ben Reynolds, Commodore, HSC Wing Pacific. “The expanded capability
will allow our assets to employ an autonomous aircraft off of a naval
vessel for search, detection, surveillance, and tracking of maritime
surface vessels.”
The radar will be used in support of Surface Unit Warfare objectives.
It will significantly expand the search area for the ship’s combat
team with the ability to simultaneously track up to 150 targets and
increase detection accuracies out to 70 nautical miles.
“Our overall goal for the first-ever HSC/LCS deployment is to
integrate the MQ-8B Fire Scout and MH-60S in all available scenarios
in order to act as a force multiplier for ships and to function as a
vital arm of distributed lethality for the tactical commander,”
Reynolds said.
This capability allows the manned/unmanned aviation detachment, working
in concert with the LCS and mission package crew, to expand and vastly
improve their battle space awareness while building a more detailed
common operational picture, he said.
“We continue to evolve into full manned-unmanned teaming by conducting
simultaneous missions in the air by determining how best to use MQ-8B
and MH-60S for traditional maritime operations,” said Capt. Jeff
Dodge, Fire Scout program manager. |
