It is powered by a Rolls Royce 250 C47B engine equipped with an automatic digital parameter and performance control system.
The specifications of the drone were largely developed by the US Special Operations Command and the prototype of the aircraft, the "Fire-X", made its first 10 December 2010 test flight. The operational version of the MQ-8C carried out the first flight in October of the 2013.
The Fire Scout MQ-8C is a fully automated helicopter. It is 7,3 meters long, 2,9 meters high while the rotor diameter is 8,4 meters.
Its fully automated VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) capability gives it the ability to take off and land on any American warship with a deck. In supporting the ground forces, however, the Fire Scout does not need a prepared landing zone.
The Fire Scout can be used both in ISR missions (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and for precision targeting. The absence of the pilot on board eliminates the risk of human losses. The control system of the drone is then able to accurately monitor the situation and understand the roll and pitch of ships following the conditions of the sea surface. It was designed to be compatible with all electromagnetic systems embarked on American ships.
Since its first flight in October 2013, the Fire Scout MQ-8C has made 219 flights for 287 hours.
Northrop Grumman is building 19 MQ-8C Fire Scout, including two test ones.
The US Navy plans to purchase a total of 70 helicopters.
Franco Iacch
(photo: Northrop Grumman)
