Northrop Grumman Unmanned Systems recently conducted a series of flight tests at the Yuma Proving Grounds, Yuma, Ariz., that culminated in two successful launches of a 2.75” Hydra class rocket from the Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Fire Scout is the Navy’s vehicle take-off unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV), which is programmed to deploy aboard the Littoral Combat Ship and become operational in FY 09. Recently the Fire Scout was re-designated from RQ-8B to MQ-8B. This new designation, MQ, reflects the multi-mission functionality of the Fire Scout.

The live fire demonstrations were preceded by functional flight tests, which focused on integration of the launcher related hardware and the hybrid software associated with vehicle management computers that send arm, safe and release commands to the missiles. The functional check flight was followed by a dry run and took place over the same flight path at identical altitudes the UAV would take once armed with a missile.

Following a successful check flight and dry runs, the air vehicle performed two separate missile firings. The UAV was uploaded with one missile on the starboard side, and took off on the preprogrammed route. After commands were verified and accepted by the management computers, the UAV flew a down wind leg and prepared to enter the flight path to conduct the live fire event. At the appropriate waypoint, with altitude approximately 1850’, air speed 35 knots, the arm and fire commands were accepted and the missile was successfully launched from the Fire Scout. The vehicle was then returned to the launch point where it recovered and was shut down. Following a data review and debrief by the test and engineering teams, the vehicle was prepared for a second launch. After uploading another missile and conducting ground safety checks, the air vehicle was launched again and performed the same procedures as the first run. Arm and fire commands were accepted and a second successful missile launch occurred.

“The successful Fire Scout test firings are of great interest as the Navy researches the feasibility of a weaponized, tactical UAV,” said CAPT Paul Morgan, Navy UAV program manager. “Bringing such a capability to our Fleet will ultimately improve their responsiveness and adaptability, as we continue to support current readiness and future war fighting objectives.”

The Navy is acquiring the MQ-8B Fire Scout UAV to fulfill the service’s requirement for a tactical UAV capable of operating in the shipboard environment. Fire Scout is designed to operate from air capable ships and will provide a significant improvement in capability. With vehicle endurance greater than six hours, Fire Scout will be capable of continuous operations providing coverage 110 nautical miles from the launch site. A baseline payload that includes electro-optical/infrared sensors and a laser designator enables Fire Scout to find tactical targets, track and designate targets, accurately provide targeting data to strike platforms and perform battle damage assessment.