Deployed with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Detachment 5 (HSC-22 DET 5) aboard USS Milwaukee (LCS-5), Fire Scout provides greater organic intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR&T) capabilities for the U.S. Navy.
“This is a significant milestone in the MQ-8C Fire Scout program,” said Capt. Eric Soderberg, U.S. Navy. “The transition from the MQ-8B to the MQ-8C Fire Scout has brought improved sensors and more than doubles the on-station endurance. Advances in Fire Scout’s capabilities further our successful integration of unmanned platforms at sea and the Navy and Marine Corps unmanned campaign plan.”
MQ-8C Fire Scout brings increased speed, endurance and payload capacity to maritime operations. The system provides operators 10+ hours of endurance and range of over 1,000 nautical miles, allowing for adaptable mission sets, including real-time over-the-horizon targeting. When operating with manned aircraft, Fire Scout enables commanders to employ manned assets in a more focused manner.
“Our partnership with the U.S. Navy has been critical in developing Fire Scout’s multi-mission autonomous capabilities which provide greater situational awareness to the joint force,” said Lance Eischeid, director, Fire Scout program, Northrop Grumman. “With the ability to operate from a range of surface ships, MQ-8C Fire Scout is a powerful platform that allows the U.S. Navy to increase the detection and tracking of targets through its onboard sensors and integration with manned assets.”
MQ-8C Fire Scout leverages a Bell 407 commercial aircraft for its airframe, supporting affordability through reduced lifecycle costs, including initial development, supply chain and flight hour reliability. MQ-8C Fire Scout is also equipped with a Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 (Osprey) radar which enables it to detect and automatically track contacts at extremely long ranges, at night and even in stormy weather conditions when visibility is extremely poor.
Designed in San Diego, California and Fort Worth, Texas by a joint Northrop Grumman/Bell team and manufactured in Ozark, Alabama and Moss Point, Mississippi, the MQ-8C achieved initial operational capability in June 2019 and will begin replacing the MQ-8B variant on upcoming deployments.
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MQ-8C Fire Scout deploys with radar upgrade aboard USS Milwaukee
NAVAIR, January 24, 2022 - NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD - The Navy’s upgraded MQ-8C Fire Scout deployed aboard USS Milwaukee (LCS-5) December 14, 2021 to support operations in U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility.
“We are very excited to bring this enhanced capability out to the fleet,” said Capt. Eric Soderberg, MQ-8 Fire Scout program manager. “Our team has been working closely with the ship for several months to ensure this deployment is a success.”
MQ-8 Fire Scout is the Navy’s only unmanned helicopter, designed to deliver real-time intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR&T) capabilities. Fire Scout brings increased situational awareness to the fleet in distributed maritime operations, extending the ship’s sensors range and endurance.
While underway, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Detachment 5 will employ Fire Scout and an embarked MH-60S to conduct counter-narcotics operations. Fire Scout will identify targets of interest and refine surveillance data of existing targets of interest, allowing for enhanced capabilities for counter illicit drug trafficking missions.
“Fire Scout is a force multiplier, not only in our current mission, but in every mission the U.S. Navy conducts,” said Cmdr. Brian Forster, commanding officer of Milwaukee. “I am very excited of the team I have onboard which has already, and will continue to, demonstrate how manned and unmanned assets can work together to effectively achieve the mission.”
The latest variant, MQ-8C, has a greater payload and endurance than its predecessor and is equipped with the Leonardo Osprey AN/ZPY-8 radar that significantly increases Fire Scout’s ability to identify, detect and track targets. The upgraded radar allows for a larger field of view and range of digital modes.
The MQ-8C is also set to deploy in the Western Pacific later this year.
Port of Ponce See also |
MQ-8C Fire Scout in
US Navy HSC-22
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Two US Navy USS Milwaukee ( LCS-5, Freedom class ) 
Helicopters UAV & Drones MQ-8C Fire Scout First Deployment
