Northrop Grumman moves forward with MQ-8 unmanned helicopter upgrades in potential $262.3 million contract

PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md., 24 April 2012. Engineers from the Northrop Grumman Corp. Aerospace Systems sector in San Diego will develop and build two unmanned helicopters, as well as six MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of the vertical take-off and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV) endurance upgrade rapid deployment capability, under terms of a potential $262.3 million contract announced Monday. MQ-8B Fire Scout is an unmanned helicopter for U.S. Navy situational awareness and precision targeting. The unmanned aircraft is based on the Schweizer Model 333 two-seat manned helicopter from Schweizer Aircraft Corp. in Horseheads, N.Y. It can autonomously take off and land on any aviation-capable warship and at unprepared landing zones near battlefields. The contract, awarded by U.S. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., is to develop, build, and test two vertical take-off and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (VTUAVs), build six air vehicles, and provide spare parts in support of the VTUAV endurance upgrade rapid deployment capability effort. The 9.4-foot tall, 3,150-pound MQ-8B Fire Scout can reach speeds of up to 125 knots, and altitudes of 20,000 feet. It’s capable of continuous operations that provide coverage up to 110 nautical miles from the launch site. […]
Northrop Grumman moves forward with MQ-8 unmanned helicopter upgrades in potential $262.3 million contract