Potential for MQ-8C cracks explored

The Navy awarded Bell Helicopter a $3.3 million contract to look into the potential for future flight strain, fatigue, and tail boom might cracking on the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned aircraft system. The concern is whether those issues might arise because the Naval Air Systems Command is flying the MQ-8C at higher weights and altitudes than those for the civilian version of the Bell 407, the airframe on which the MQ-8C is based. (Source: IHS Janes 360, 10/07/16) Gulf Coast note: Final assembly of the MQ-8C is done in Moss Point, Miss.