Northrop Grumman [NOC] Nov. 24 announced it has completed the first three MQ-8B Fire Scout production deliveries to the Navy, which completes the first year of Low Rate
Initial Production (LRIP) for the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (VTUAV) program.
Two of the three Fire Scouts were deployed aboard the USS McInerney for use on a scheduled operational deployment to complete a Fire Scout Military Utility Assessment (MUA), the company said in a statement. Prior to the current deployment, Fire Scouts have been aboard the McInerney four times since December 2008, completing 110 ship takeoffs and landings and 45 landings with the harpoon grid, accumulating over 47 hours of flighttime.
“Fire Scout’s performance aboard the USS McInerney has continued to provide us with invaluable operational insight and enhances our ability to support the U.S. Navy,” said George Vardoulakis, vice president of Tactical Unmanned Systems for Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector. “And we are excited about the opportunity to work alongside the sailors of the USS McInerney for Fire Scout’s first operational deployment.”