The US Navy, with support from Northrop Grumman, commenced flight testing of the MQ-8C Fire Scout equipped with the Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 radar.
“The AN/ZPY-8 radar significantly increases Fire Scout’s detection and tracking of targets. The ability to simultaneously employ multiple modes supports US Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements,” said Melissa Packwood, program manager, tactical autonomous systems, Northrop Grumman. “This increased capability enables Fire Scout to extend ranges to meet emerging requirements.”
Operating out of Webster Outlying Field, the MQ-8C’s first flight with the radar occurred Feb. 27. Testing began with several weeks of ground test prior to the first flight and continues to progress as the Navy and Northrop Grumman consider mission expansion opportunities for the platform.
To date, Northrop Grumman has delivered 32 of 38 MQ-8Cs to the Navy, all of which will be retrofit with the AN/ZPY-8 radar. The MQ-8C achieved initial operational capability in June 2019 and is scheduled for its first deployment in 2021.
image courtesy of US Navy
If you would like to join our community and read more articles like this then please click here.
MQ-8C Northrop Grumman US Navy
Post written by: Matt Brown
RELATED ARTICLES
November 29, 2024
Maritime - Serco awarded $97M US Defence contract to support US naval shipyards
Serco, the provider of services and support to governments internationally, has secured a new, five-year contract worth $97M (£74M) to
November 13, 2024
Maritime - How DASA-backed AI innovation is revolutionising maritime rescue
Scotland-based SME Zelim has won a contract with the US Navy to deploy their innovative AI-enabled Person-in-Water detection and tracking
