The MQ-8B Fire Scout UAV developed by Northrop Grumman on April 12th 2011 set a single day flight record of 18 h while flying for anti piracy missions along with the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.
US Navy operators utilized a single aircraft in a series of endurance flights from the ship, USS Halyburton (FFG40), to accomplish the record. The Fire Scout is offering surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance data to endorse anti piracy missions.
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According to George Vardoulakis, VP of Northrop Grumman, Aerospace Systems Sector, they have always been working alongside the Navy to improve the Fire Scout ever since it was last deployed to satisfy the operational requirements. These flights showed the maturity of the Fire Scout and also demonstrated that the system offers an essential extension for collecting vital data during both wartime and peace time missions.
A military utility assessment was concluded in the month of April 2010 by the Fire Scout on board the frigate USS McInerney (FFG8). Fire Scout has flown much more on board the USS Halyburton than on the USS McInerney, almost double the time in the first two months. The system also concluded initial flight tests on the USS Freedom (LCS 1) in the month of November. Fire Scout has a modular architecture that contains an assortment of infrared, optical, communication and electro payloads, which provide ship and ground-based commanders with maximum levels of precision targeting support and situational awareness.
The skill of flying the system at low ground speeds makes it ideal for supporting search and rescue, drug interdiction, port security and reconnaissance missions. By January end, the operators from the Halyburton were able to locate a disabled boat by using the Brite Star II sensor payload, which gives complete motion video ability, and enabled the ship’s crew to reach the boat and carry out the repair work.