Air International 2011-02 / News

The Fire-X demonstrator is seen during its first autonomous flight on December 10, 2010, at the Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

Air International 2013-12 / News

The prototype Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout (BuNo 168455) made its maiden flight at Naval Base Ventura County, California, on October 31, 2013.

Air International 2019-09 / Airscene

MQ-8C Fire Scout BuNo 168455/’VX’ takes off from Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu on the type’s maiden flight, when it reached an altitude of 500 feet.
The recent declaration of MQ-8C IOC opens the door for US Navy training and fleet operations to begin later this year.

Air International 2014-03 / News

Taking to the air for the first time on February 12, 2014 was the second Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout (BuNo 168456/‘VX’) vertical take-off and landing tactical unmanned air vehicle. The test flight was conducted at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, California. The first MQ-8C completed its initial flight in October 2013 and had flown 41 times accumulating 66 hours by the time the second had flown. Shipboard trials of the type will start later this year.

Air International 2014-01 / M.Ayton - Preparing to face The Burble /Military/

MQ-8C BuNo 168455/VX’ (c/n EMD-1) parked on the flight line at Point Mugu.

Air International 2013-08 / News

19 июля 2013г. компания Northrop Grumman сообщила, что ВМС США получили первый беспилотный вертолет MQ-8C Fire Scout, предназначенный для проведения испытаний. В отличие от предыдущей модели MQ-8B, новый "беспилотник" создан на базе коммерческого вертолета Bell 407.
MQ-8C Fire Scout BuNo 168455/'NG' arrives at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, California, on July 8, 2013. VX-30 uses the tailcode 'BH' - 'NG‘ stands for the Fire Scout's prime contractor, Northrop Grumman.

Air International 2014-12 / News

The MQ-8C Fire Scout prepares for a precision landing on a sloped surface at Point Mugu.

Air International 2019-09 / Airscene

An MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter conducts landing operations with the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4). The MQ-8C Fire Scout variant is expected to deploy with the LCS class to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting support.

Air International 2015-02 / News

MQ-8C Fire Scout BuNo 168455/'VX' hovers over the flight deck of USS Jason Dunham (DDG-102) during the type’s first period underway. The aircraft is fitted with a FLIR Systems BRITE Star II EO/IR targeting system, the turret of which is positioned on the nose.

Авиация и Космонавтика 2019-01 / Ю.Кузьмин - Воздушная мощь США сегодня

MQ-8C на палубе LCS-4 «Коронадо», июль 2018 г.

Air International 2021-07 / Focus: UAV, Rotary, Business, Technology

The MQ-8C's initial operating capability from landing helicopter docks is expected this summer

Air International 2018-09 / Airscene

Sailors assigned to USS Coronado (LCS 4) monitor flight operations from the helicopter control tower as an MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter prepares to launch. MQ-8C flight operations were conducted aboard the USS Coronado by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 'Pioneers'.

Air International 2016-01 / News

MQ-8C Fire Scout BuNo 168455 completes a test flight at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, one of 11 operational assessment events to validate the system’s performance, endurance and reliability.

Air International 2020-07 / Focus: UAV, Rotary, Business, Technology

The MQ-8C testing the Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 radar.

Air International 2018-11 / Airscene

In addition to the mine-huting demo, Northrop Grumman has started flight­testing the first MQ-8C to be built at its Moss Point facility.

Air International 2022-06 / T.Fish - Active and alert

A compact AESA radar like the Osprey 30 means multi-domain operations can be carried out by a single radar on smaller platforms than was previously allowed. This is the variant that is fitted to the MQ-9 Firescout rotary UAV. The use of modular panel means the radar can be positioned on other parts of aircraft rather than just in the nose

Air International 2012-06 / News

Artist's impression of the MQ-8C recently ordered to support Central and Africa Commands.

Air International 2013-01 / The Aviation World in 2013

Air International 2014-01 / M.Ayton - Preparing to face The Burble /Military/

Fire Scout performs its ISR tasking over land and sea.

Air International 2014-01 / M.Ayton - Preparing to face The Burble /Military/

Mounted on the forward fuselage of the MQ-8C, FLIR Systems BRITE Star II Multi-Sensor Targeting Imager is the baseline payload for the new Fire Scout.

Air International 2014-01 / M.Ayton - Preparing to face The Burble /Military/

The MQ-8C is capable of a variety of missions including vertical replenishment.

Air International 2014-01 / M.Ayton - Preparing to face The Burble /Military/

An MQ-8C is required to remain on station at 150 nautical miles from the ship for eight hours.

Air International 2014-01 / M.Ayton - Preparing to face The Burble /Military/

MQ-8C will undertake its maiden ship embarkation aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Dunham (DDG-109) at the end of next summer.

Air International 2014-01 / M.Ayton - Preparing to face The Burble /Military/