U.S. Navy LCS USS Coronado Underway for MQ-8C Fire Scout Testing.

By Lt. j.g. Caroline Zotti, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One Public Affairs
USS Coronado (LCS 4) began underway operational testing of the Navy's newest unmanned helicopter, the MQ-8C Fire Scout, off the coast of San Diego, June 15.

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 09, 2017) An MQ-8C Fire Scout helicopter sits on the deck of Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8). Sailors and the Fire Scout testing team are underway conducting dynamic interface testing to verify the MQ-8C launch and recovery procedures and test interoperability between the unmanned helicopter and the ship. The MQ-8C Fire Scout is a larger variant than the MQ-8B and provides longer endurance, range and greater payload capability. (U.S. Navy photo by Command Master Chief Jacob A. Shafer/Released)

The operations are a continuation of MQ-8C operational testing that began in April. This next phase is testing the MQ-8C's ability to operate concurrently with other airborne assets and littoral combat ships. The enhanced capability will provide commanders an improved and integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance picture.

Coronado is one of four designated LCS testing ships and the ship's commanding officer says he and his crew are excited to help further advance Navy lethality.

"It is a great privilege to advance the Navy's ability to conduct unmanned aerial vehicle operations," said Cmdr. Lawrence Repass, USS Coronado's commanding officer.

Fire Scout operations are a whole-ship effort, requiring effective coordination between the aviation and surface entities aboard.

Our video coverage on USS Coronado LCS 4

"Whether it is ensuring that the data links required are functional, fire team personnel are standing by to respond, or managing the airspace and contact pictures; every single Sailor plays a role in Fire Scout operations," said Lt. Josh Riley, the ship's combat systems officer. "These Sailors and this testing will help shape how the surface force will utilize the strengths and advantages that this valuable asset brings to the table in the coming years."

During Coronado's 2016-2017 deployment to the Western Pacific, the ship successfully used MQ-8B Fire Scout as an organic sensor to strike a target beyond visual range using a Harpoon surface-to-surface missile.

With that recent success fresh in their minds, LCS Sailors are excited for future employment of the MQ-8C Fire Scout, saying that the newer technology has increased speed, a higher ceiling, over twice the fuel endurance, and an improved payload capacity.

"Operating with the MQ-8C Fire Scout offers unique challenges, but it is the perfect partner to an LCS," said Lt. j.g. Alex Giltz, Coronado's auxiliaries officer and one of the few shipboard officers who has operated with both versions of the Fire Scout.

LCS is a high-speed, agile, shallow draft, mission-focused surface combatant designed for operations in the littoral environment, yet fully capable of open ocean operations. As part of the surface fleet, LCS has the ability to counter and outpace evolving threats independently or within a network of surface combatants.