Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia


An MQ-8B Fire Scout completes first biofuel flight at Webster Field, September 2011
Role	UAV helicopter
Manufacturer	Northrop Grumman
First flight	2000
Introduction	2009 (MQ-8B)
Retired	2022
Status	Retired (RQ-8A, MQ-8B)
Primary user	United States Navy
Number built	30 (MQ-8B)
Developed from	Schweizer 330 and 333
Variants	Sikorsky S-434
Developed into	Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Armed Forces. The Fire Scout is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces. The initial RQ-8A version was based on the Schweizer 330, while the enhanced MQ-8B was derived from the Schweizer 333. The larger MQ-8C Fire Scout variant is based on the Bell 407. In February 2018, 23 MQ-8Bs were in service with the U.S. Navy.[4] The MQ-8B was retired from service in October 2022

In January 2006, an RQ-8A Fire Scout landed aboard the amphibious transport ship Nashville while it was steaming off the coast of Maryland near the Patuxent River. This marked the first time an unmanned helicopter has landed autonomously aboard a moving U.S. Navy ship without a pilot controlling the aircraft.[18][19][20] Nashville was maneuvering as fast as 17 mph (27 km/h) in the tests.

Early stages

MQ-8B

Although progress on the project had been regarded as satisfactory, the Navy decided the Fire Scout didn't meet their needs after all, and cut funding for production in December 2001. However, the development program continued, and Northrop Grumman pitched a range of improved configurations to anyone who was interested. As it turned out, the U.S. Army was very interested, awarding a contract for seven improved RQ-8B evaluation machines in late 2003. In 2006, it was redesignated MQ-8B.

The MQ-8B features a four-blade main rotor, in contrast to the larger-diameter three-blade rotor of the RQ-8A, to reduce noise and improve lift capacity and performance. The four-blade rotor had already been evaluated on Fire Scout prototypes. They increase gross takeoff weight by 500 pounds (230 kg), to 3,150 pounds (1,430 kg) with payloads of up to 700 pounds (320 kg) for short-range missions. The MQ-8B is 23.95 feet (7.30 m) long, 6.2 feet (1.9 m) wide, and 9.71 feet (2.96 m) tall

Northrop aircraft

McDonnell Douglas aircraft
Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout

General Info

Crew: 0 (on-board) Capacity: 600 lb (272 kg) Length: 23 ft 11.4 in (7.3 m) Wingspan: 27 ft 6 in (8.4 m) Height: 9 ft 8.5 in (2.9 m)

Powerplant

- Empty weight: (940.3 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: (1,430 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce 250 , 420 hp (313 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 213 km/h)
Cruise speed: (130 mph, 200 km/h)
Combat range: 110 nmi (126.6 mi, 203.7 km) with 5+ hours on station
Endurance: 8 hours (typical), 5 hours fully loaded
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)

Armament

Special Links Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout

Links to Youtube & Others

With vehicle endurance greater than five hours, a VTUAV system will be capable of twelve continuous hours of operations providing coverage 110 nautical miles from the launch site.

Northrop
MQ-8 Firescout

The program is currently completing EMD (engineering, manufacturing, development), and should begin low rate initial production in FY 07

Youtube Link

The air vehicle component of the VTUAV system was designated the MQ-8B to reflect the Fire Scout’s evolution toward an increased, multi-functional role.

Northrop Aerospace
Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout
Introduction 2009 (MQ-8B)

Northrop Grumman
MQ-8 Fire Scout