US MQ-8C Fire Scout Unmanned Helicopter Completes Initial Operational Test

The US MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter has completed the first Initial Operational test and Evaluation.

The next-gen UAS manufactured by Northrop Grumman performed several machine scenarios aboard Coronado off the coast of southern California, LT. Caroline Zotti of the Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1 said in a statement last week.

USS Coronado (LCS 4) began underway operational testing of the Navy's newest unmanned helicopter on June 15 this year.

The operations are a continuation of MQ-8C operational testing that began in April. This next phase is testing the MQ-8C's ability to operate concurrently with other airborne assets and littoral combat ships. The enhanced capability will provide commanders an improved and integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance picture.

During Coronado’s 2016-2017 deployment to the Western Pacific, the ship successfully used MQ-8B Fire Scout as an organic sensor to strike a target beyond visual range using a Harpoon surface-to-surface missile.