Fire Scout lost over Libya

A Northrop Grumman-built Fire Scout was lost over the central coastal area of Libya while conducting surveillance operations, according to NATO officials. The MQ-8B lost contact with ground controllers Tuesday. The Fire Scout, built in part in Moss Point, Miss., is equipped with cameras and sensors and was monitoring pro-Kadafi forces when it went dow. The cause of the crash is not known. Last year Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., lost contract with a Fire Scout and it wandered into restricted airspace. Operators regained control. It was later blamed on a software problem. (Source: Multiple, including AFP via Space War, CNN, Los Angeles Times, 06/21/11)