Northrop Grumman demonstrated that its MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter can resupply troops deployed on a combat mission. The company conducted the autonomous proof-of-principle resupply capability during the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment at Fort Benning, Ga. The Fire Scout had two ruggedized containers attached to external pylons. Fire Scout flew autonomously from take-off to the cargo drop to landing. The Fire Scout also used its electro-optical/infrared optical payload during the mission to practice reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition techniques. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 02/15/10) Gulf Coast note: Fire Scouts are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.; the Army recently dropped plans to buy Fire Scouts, though the Navy still has an active program.
NEWS: A digest of aerospace, defense and technology news from the Gulf Coast I-10 region
Monday, February 15, 2010
Fire Scout shows resupply capability
Northrop Grumman demonstrated that its MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter can resupply troops deployed on a combat mission. The company conducted the autonomous proof-of-principle resupply capability during the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment at Fort Benning, Ga. The Fire Scout had two ruggedized containers attached to external pylons. Fire Scout flew autonomously from take-off to the cargo drop to landing. The Fire Scout also used its electro-optical/infrared optical payload during the mission to practice reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition techniques. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 02/15/10) Gulf Coast note: Fire Scouts are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.; the Army recently dropped plans to buy Fire Scouts, though the Navy still has an active program.
