MQ-8C Fire Scout (0372518c-146a-5abb-964d-9813df9b1fef)
The Northrop Grumman MQ‑8C Fire Scout is an unmanned, VTOL helicopter derived from the Bell 407 airframe and equipped with a Rolls‑Royce 250‑C47B turbine, autonomous take‑off/landing systems, and a modular payload bay. Developed for the U.S. Navy, the MQ‑8C provides high‑endurance (up to 15 hours) ISR, surface‑warfare surveillance, over‑the‑horizon targeting, and precision‑strike support for ship‑based operations. Its sensor suite can include the AN/ZPY‑8 AESA radar and electro‑optical/infrared payloads, delivering real‑time situational awareness to Littoral Combat Ships, Independence‑class vessels, and future Constellation‑class frigates. Initially envisioned as a weapons platform, the system was refocused on reconnaissance and targeting before its scheduled retirement in FY 2026.
| Cluster A | Galaxy A | Cluster B | Galaxy B | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MQ-8C Fire Scout (0372518c-146a-5abb-964d-9813df9b1fef) | UAVs/UCAVs | Private Cluster (4d9347f2-2052-51c0-be43-a97ada6c400d) | Unknown | 1 |
| MQ-8C Fire Scout (0372518c-146a-5abb-964d-9813df9b1fef) | UAVs/UCAVs | Private Cluster (293f0d6e-ac80-5818-a67b-043cc20679e3) | Unknown | 1 |
| MQ-8C Fire Scout (0372518c-146a-5abb-964d-9813df9b1fef) | UAVs/UCAVs | Private Cluster (9ba1a30e-91cd-5450-a8e9-0cb0a5aee03a) | Unknown | 1 |