FireScout UAV (VTUAV) Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle - MQ-8B

The Fire Scout MQ-8 is a helicopter-type vertical takeoff / landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV). The MQ-8 was developed by Northrop Grumman (Los Angeles, California) for use in the United States military and naval forces. Fire Scout was originally designed for conducting reconnaissance from the air with real-time data transmission and cargo delivery to the troops. In addition, the MQ-8 is capable of striking ground targets. Schweizer 8 was used as the base for the MQ-333B.

Ground test Fire Scout finished in early November 2005 of the year. The RQ-8 Fire Scout was adapted for US Navy frigates (FFG) and coastal warships (LCS) ships.

During tests at the Yuma test site in Arizona, the 2007 helicopter that first passed such unmanned aerial vehicles in July hit the target with two millimeters 70 missiles. The duration of the flight MQ-8B is 4 hours. There is enough time for a long flight from the takeoff site in nautical miles 110 radius.

The standard equipment of the helicopter, consisting of infrared and electro-optical scanners, as well as a laser rangefinder, makes it possible to find and identify targets, and also, depending on the importance, to rank them.

The unmanned multi-purpose helicopter MQ-8B is available in two versions: for ground forces and for sea-based.

This unit is designed for action on the front edge and implementation for reconnaissance, target designation, target recognition, firing, and determination of damage. 272 kilograms of payload makes it possible to use the MQ-8B as a means of supporting troops and transporting goods for soldiers performing missions in hard-to-reach areas. The unmanned helicopter is equipped with the ASTAMIDS multi-sensor, which has multispectral and electro-optical detection systems, which allows the device to recognize vehicles, minefields, hidden and combat targets, obstacles along the route. ASTAMIDS uses highlight, quadrant prism aperture dividers, range finder and target pointer.

The unmanned aerial vehicle can be connected to informers of the American Army Warfighter, tactical communications systems TRS, and the tactical network VICTORY-T.

The power plant is a Rolls Roys 250-C20W engine, whose power is 313 kV.

The MQ-8B has a four-bladed screw, and a larger diameter compared to the three-bladed RQ-8A. The swing of the blades is 8,4 m. The use of a new screw has reduced noise and increased performance. In addition, this screw allowed to increase (in comparison with RQ-8A) take-off weight from 225 kg to 1430 kg. In this case, the payload for the near mission is 320 kg. The four-bladed propeller was tested on Fire Scout prototypes.

The aircraft is armed with two Hellfire laser-guided missiles, or four Hydra laser-guided missiles (designed to destroy weapons systems), or two Viper Strike precision munitions, which are controlled by the GPS system.

When folded, the unmanned aerial vehicle has a length of 7 meters and is convenient for transportation. The maximum speed of MQ-8B is 110 nodes, the ceiling is 20 thousand feet.

Based on materials:
http://www.adaptive.com.ua
http://www.navair.navy.mil
http://www.naval-technology.com
http://usmilitary.about.com

Comments

[Hemi cuda]

Thanks for the article, peppy apparatus.

[Professor]

It should be noted that this device has been successfully used in Libya and Afghanistan.

[Atrix]

Now there are individuals who will begin to write why Russia needs it, because it can be carried out by an electromagnetic pulse
Yes, a thing useful especially for reconnaissance and in the role of an attack helicopter, you can send it to dangerous areas and not be afraid of casualties among your pilots. And in range and time of flight does the author have no data?

[Alex45]

Quote: Atrix

And in range and time of flight does the author have no data?

From the text of the article:
"The flight duration of the MQ-8B is 4 hours. This is enough time for an extended flight from the take-off site within a radius of 110 nautical miles."

[Atrix]

Thanks, but I didn’t notice something))
I think the machine will take root in the US Army, I see they are more and more inclined towards the transition wherever possible on drones

[Astartes]

The concept itself pleased me, for reconnaissance the very thing, for the assault operations the apparatus is still rude. Obviously, Americans will develop a similar class of cars. I can’t say that the Russian army needs the same, there are better solutions. But the very idea of ​​a small flying tactical reconnaissance must be worked out and accepted.

[Sergey_K]

I wonder when the first aerial battle of unmanned vehicles will occur. Apparently, the F35 is the last Amer plane with a man inside. And then, who has the development algorithms and better communication. And here, gentlemen, the fatherland is clearly not in the lead. We need to try very hard, the backlog in the element base and programming is very serious!

[Odysseus]

Quote: Sergey_K

Apparently, the F35 is the last Amer plane with a man inside.

Most likely penultimate

[PACIFIST]

I think that we also need to be strengthened in this work. Cheap and angry + people will not die if lost

[shpuntik]

Land him on the Rostov arable land. Yes, see what is inside of him ...