An unmanned autonomous helicopter developed for the US Armed Forces to be used in the reconnaissance and targeting support roles. The initial version, known as
RQ-8A, was based on the Schweizer 330 and was the winner of the US Navy VTOL-UAV competition. This aircraft soon proved to not be good enough for service. The US Army joined the program in 2006 and a new variant was introduced. Named
MQ-8B, is based on the Schweizer 333 with a 4-blades main rotor and Raytheon avionics, has greater payload and better overall performance. Fire Scout systems were used in the development of the Bell/Northrop-Grumman
Fire-X which led to the
MQ-8C.
Northrop Grumman, US Coast Guard and US Navy flew the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter on the Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750) near Los Angeles, Dec. 5, 2014.
