By Lt. j.g. Elizabeth Hegarty, Commander, Naval Air Forces Public
Affairs
The "Wildcards" of U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron
(HSC) 23 made history Sept. 14 when they used a MQ-8B unmanned air system
as a laser designator platform for a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter to fire
a AGM-114N Hellfire missile.
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For the
mission, the MH-60S launched from Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island,
while the Northrup Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout was operated from NAS Point
Mugu. The shot took place on a designated live-fire range off the coast
of NAS Point Mugu against a dynamic target, which moved at approximately
10-15 knots. The Fire Scout detected target location and was transmitted
to the MH-60S for targeting. Once all target requirements were met,
the Fire Scout lased the target while the MH-60S moved forward and into
position for the running missile shot.
"It was awesome to see the MQ-8B and MH-60S tactics and procedures
being used in conjunction with each other for the first time,"
said Lt. Cdr. Thanh Nguyen, one of the MH-60S pilots who participated
in the exercise. "We were able to validate the Fire Scout's ability
to find and designate a target, which greatly expands the lethal range
of the MH-60S while keeping air crews out of harm's way."
The successful Hellfire shot marks a significant milestone in the integration
between Navy-manned helicopters and unmanned assets.
"The hunter-killer team of Fire Scout and MH-60S is now a proven
combination that will be a game-changer for future deployments,"
said Nguyen.
HSC-23 is a Coronado-based expeditionary squadron under Commander, Helicopter
Sea Combat Wing Pacific. It is the first squadron to deploy a MH-60S
and MQ-8B composite detachment aboard Independence class littoral combat
ship USS Coronado (LCS 4). |
