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| The US Unmanned Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout Helicopter |
International Military - The US Navy's MQ-8 firefighters show their strength. The US Navy's MQ 8C Fire Scout recently supported the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) exercise.
This EABO exercise takes place off the coast of California. Where this also demonstrates its ability to transition from ship to shore in a maritime environment.
Quoted from Military Leak, the MQ 8C Fire Scout participated in the Resolute Hunter exercise on June 21-July 1. The aircraft flew a total of 23 hours and proved the use of unmanned expeditionary helicopters from land and in several classes of ships.
Resolute Hunter is a joint and coalition great power exercise. Where it focuses on training personnel on combat management, command, and control, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
The MQ 8C-equipped system has a range of 150 nautical miles and a payload capacity of over 700 pounds. The specifications are as follows.
- Overall Length: 34.7 feet
- Weight: zero fuel weight - 3,200 lbs; first day of fuel and payload - 6,000 lbs
- Max Speed: 135 kts
- Cruise Speed: 115 kts
- Service Ceiling: 16,000 ft
- Std. Day Max Endurance (w/300 lb payload): 12 hours
- Contractor: Northrop Grumman Unmanned Systems