Modern MQ-8B UAVs began performing combat missions on US Navy ships

The US Navy’s FFG56 Simpson missile frigate went to sea in early May to perform combat duty, carrying 8 MQ-8B UAV units on board. This UAV modification is the only one of its kind, the main purpose of which is to perform patrol and reconnaissance missions based on US naval vessels. They can perform their duties both on land and at sea. previously MQ-8B drones were supplemented by manned H-60 helicopters on frigates, and now, after achieving the necessary results, for the first time the Unmanned aircraft have joined the fight. To ensure the operation of both helicopter drones, 15 technical staff and 7 people were sent to the missile frigate to control them. Soon, all U.S. Navy littoral combat ships will be equipped with MQ-8 Fire Scout helicopter-type drones.

The basic design of the RQ-8 began development in 2000. The main purpose was unmanned solutions for the US Navy. But after a series of unsuccessful tests in 2002, the US military stopped funding the RQ-8 UAV program. Just a year later, the navy turned its attention to these drones again. They became necessary for the new ships of the LCS project. Ships of this series are planned for use in the close sea zone, however, it is possible to use LCS ships in open seas.

Around the same time, it became known that the MQ-8B Fire Scout would become the primary unmanned solution for the US Navy. In total, to supply new ships, it is planned to purchase 192 MQ-8B helicopter-type drones. The flight time in the air of the MQ-8B Fire Scout drone is nearly 4 hours. This is quite enough for flights within a radius of 200 km. The equipment of the drone includes the following:
– optical scanner;
– infrared scanner;
– laser range finder;
– possible armament – high precision Hellfire missiles.

The device is capable of detecting and qualifying objects, prioritizing detected objects according to importance. After being attacked by a ship or UAV, it can evaluate the damage received by the target. The release of an unmanned solution as a naval reconnaissance spy was established on the basis of the civilian solution “Schweitzer 333”. Schweitzer is a subsidiary of the famous Sikorsky company, which is part of the United Technologies Inc. concern. The first U.S. Navy drones are expected to be ready in 2006.

2005 year. The RQ-8 drone is undergoing successful combat tests. RQ-8 UAV fires two unguided rockets of 70 mm caliber. This is the first recorded instance of an unmanned solution automatically deploying its weapons. Before using the missile, the RQ-8 flew 16 km. The name Fire Scout is a modification of the UAV specifically for the navy. The main difference is the overall characteristics of the machine, while other companies have tried to minimize them as much as possible, resembling a conventional civil helicopter for 2-4 people.

The MQ-8B Fire Scout multi-role drone performs vertical takeoff and landing. The first autonomous sea flights of the MQ-8B were carried out from the landing ship of the Neshvill type aircraft carrier. Previously, flights were carried out semi-automatically – an unmanned helicopter was controlled from the ship. The main developer of UAVs is the American company Northrop Grumman. According to the plan, the first batch of MQ-8B self-propelled UAVs, consisting of 12 units, will be introduced into the armed forces according to the following composition – 4 units will be assigned to squadrons, 8 units to ground units. Initially, UAVs were created for reconnaissance activities and transporting special goods to various units when conducting wars. In addition, UAVs are also capable of carrying out missile and bomb attacks against enemy targets.

Like most modern unmanned solutions, the MQ-8B conducts real-time air reconnaissance. In 2007, during tests in Arizona at the Yumovskiy proving ground, the Fire Scout UAV used its weapons against identified targets for the first time in the world. Drones have two options for implementation – for sea and land missions. The payload of the MQ-8B is more than 270 kg. He can support ongoing operations in hard-to-reach places and transport necessary goods to special forces. The self-contained Fire Scout has a multi-sensor “ASTAMIDS” equipped with a type four prism aperture divider that can detect both in-flight obstacles and minefields, as well as hidden targets. The UAV can be connected to the TRS and VICTORY-T tactical communications systems, the Warfighter information system. The full length of the helicopter blades is 8.4 meters, when moving, its length is 7 meters. Propulsion system from Rolls-Royce 250-C20 W, capacity 313 kW. Armament: 2 laser-guided Hellfire guided missiles or 4 Hydra missiles or 2 Viper Strike precision-guided munitions – they are GPS controlled.