Thu, Nov 10, 2011
Will Allow Independent Engagement Of 'Hostile Targets'
A program to outfit the U.S. Navy's MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned
helicopter with a weapons system is being undertaken by Northrop
Grumman. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System laser-guided
70mm rocket, in production for the Navy since 2010, will allow ship
commanders to identify and engage hostile targets without calling
in other aircraft for support.
"By arming Fire Scout, the Navy will have a system that can
locate and prosecute targets of interest," said George Vardoulakis,
Northrop Grumman's vice president for tactical unmanned systems.
"This capability shortens the kill chain and lessens the need to
put our soldiers in harm's way."
Northrop will develop and deliver the equipment needed to
control the weapons system under a $17 million contract awarded to
the company Sept. 23 by Naval Air Systems Command. Final delivery
of an operational system is expected by March 2013.
Once delivered, Fire Scout will be Navy's first sea-based
unmanned system to carry weapons. Its ability to operate at low
ground speeds makes it particularly well suited for supporting
littoral missions such as drug interdiction, antipiracy actions,
search and rescue, reconnaissance and port security.
Fire Scout features a modular architecture that accommodates a
variety of electro-optical, infrared and communications payloads.
These payloads provide ground- and ship-based commanders with high
levels of situational awareness and precision targeting
support.
More News
Aero Linx: JAARS Nearly 1.5 billion people, using more than 5,500 languages, do not have a full Bible in their first language. Many of these people live in the most remote parts of>[...]
'Airplane Bounced Twice On The Grass Runway, Resulting In The Nose Wheel Separating From The Airplane...' Analysis: The pilot reported, “upon touchdown, the plane jumped back>[...]
"Burt is best known to the public for his historic designs of SpaceShipOne, Voyager, and GlobalFlyer, but for EAA members and aviation aficionados, his unique concepts began more t>[...]
"Polaris Dawn, the first of the program’s three human spaceflight missions, is targeted to launch to orbit no earlier than summer 2024. During the five-day mission, the crew >[...]
There Are SO Many Ways To Get YOUR Aero-News! It’s been a while since we have reminded everyone about all the ways we offer your daily dose of aviation news on-the-go...so he>[...]