The
Fire Scout is an unmanned helicopter system that provides real-time
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), target-acquisition,
laser designation and battle management to tactical users without relying
on manned aircraft or space-based assets. The MQ-8C Fire Scout’s
airframe is based on the commercial Bell 407, a mature helicopter with
more than 1,400 airframes produced and over 4 million flight hours.
It has the ability to autonomously take-off and land on any aviation-capable
ship and from prepared and unprepared landing zones. This enhancement
significantly increases range and endurance (more than double) and payload
capacity (more than triple). The MQ-8C has completed developmental testing
and is ready to deploy. |
