UAV Fire Scout Completes First Solo Mission

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) MQ-8B Fire Scout embarked on its first solo mission successfully after being deployed from the USS Simpson on March 7. The Fire Scout is a vertical take-off and landing UAV capable of carrying out surveillance, tracking and targeting missions. It is also the Navy's only unmanned aircraft to operate on land and at sea. The AVO is responsible for the overall current mission, navigation and system safety of the Fire Scout's airframe. The MPO is responsible for operating the Fire Scout's built-in surveillance camera and communicating with the AVO to get the best shots needed during a mission. The Fire Scout has exceeded 2,000 hours of real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support U.S. and allied troops in northern Afghanistan since being deployed in 2009.