Based on the Bell 407 Fire-X provide greater endurance, range and payload capacity than the previous MQ-8 A/B variants.
Modifications to the MQ-8C's airframes are carried out at the Bell Helicopter facility in Ozark, Alabama, while final assembly is performed in Moss Point, Mississippi.
In 2012, Northrop Grumman started low-rate production.
First flight by 168455 /VX on October 31, 2013 at Naval Base Ventura County.
The MQ-8C entered test service in 2014 with ship-based deployments expected to start in 2017.
On July 2019, achivied Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the US Navy with the MQ-8C fleet flown over 1,500 hours with more than 700 sorties to date. The Navy has 38 aircraft on order.
As of March 2020, 32 of 38 MQ-8C have been delivered to the US Navy
In 2012, Northrop Grumman started low-rate production.
First flight by 168455 /VX on October 31, 2013 at Naval Base Ventura County.
The MQ-8C entered test service in 2014 with ship-based deployments expected to start in 2017.
On July 2019, achivied Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the US Navy with the MQ-8C fleet flown over 1,500 hours with more than 700 sorties to date. The Navy has 38 aircraft on order.
As of March 2020, 32 of 38 MQ-8C have been delivered to the US Navy
Specifications MQ-8C Fire Scout |
List of Operators of MQ-8C Fire Scout |
Years | Model | Org | |
---|---|---|---|
2013- | US Navy |
Global Distribution of MQ-8C Fire Scout |
|
Construction Numbers |
C/N | Built as | Year | History | |
---|---|---|---|---|
01 | 2013 | 168455 | ||
02 | 2014 | 168456 | ||
03 | 168808 | |||
04 | 168809 | |||
05 | 168810 | |||
06 | 168811 | |||
07 | 168812 | |||
08 | 168813 | |||
09 | 168982 | |||
10 | 168983 | |||
11 | 168984 | |||
12 | 168985 | |||
13 | 168986 | |||
31 | 169664 | |||
54115 | 407 | 2012 | N472VB | |
168459 |