Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire-X

MQ-8C Fire-X
MQ-8C
Role	UAV helicopter
Manufacturer	Northrop Grumman Bell Helicopter
First flight	2002
Introduction	2009 (MQ-8B)[1]
Status	MQ-8C: flight testing
Primary user	United States Navy
Unit cost	US$18.2 million in FY 2013 (flyaway cost)[2]
Developed from	Bell 407 Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire-X is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed by Northrop Grumman for use by the United States Armed Forces. The Fire-X is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces. The MQ-8C airframe is based on the Bell 407, while the avionics and other systems are developed from those used on the MQ-8B Fire Scout.

Design and development

MQ-8C Fire-X on display at the 2015 Australian International Airshow

On 3 May 2010, Northrop announced plans to fly a Bell 407 helicopter modified with autonomous controls from the MQ-8B. Named Fire-X, it was to demonstrate an unmanned cargo resupply capability to the US Navy.^[3] The unmanned Fire-X completed its first flight at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona on 20 December 2010.^[4] On 23 April 2012, Northrop received a $262.3 million contract from the Navy to build the newly designated MQ-8C Fire Scout; the work included two developmental aircraft and six low-rate production aircraft initially. The Navy wants 28 MQ-8Cs for naval special operations forces.^[5] In March 2013, the Navy incorporated the Rolls-Royce 250-C47E engine into the MQ-8C for a 5 percent increase in "hot and high" power, 2 percent reduced fuel consumption, 8 percent increase in rated takeoff power, and better reliability.^[6] The Bell 407-based MQ-8C has an endurance of 12 hours, a range of 150 nmi (170 mi; 280 km), and a payload capacity of about 318 kg (701 lb);^[7] it has twice the endurance and three times the payload as the MQ-8B.^[1]

In early July 2013, Northrop Grumman delivered the first MQ-8C to the Navy. Ground testing was done to ensure that the systems worked properly and communicated with the ground control station prior to conducting the first flight. The MQ-8C shares software, avionics, payloads, and ship ancillary equipment with the MQ-8B, while the upgraded airframe provides double the endurance and three times the payload.^[8] The MQ-8C was expected to fly in early October 2013, and be deployed in late 2014. The APKWS II will be added to the C-model sometime after 2016.^[9] Initial at-sea tests were to be performed aboard the destroyer Jason Dunham in 2014.^[10] On 24 September 2013, the MQ-8C Fire-X delivered to the Navy turned on its engines for 10 minutes in preparation for first flight. A second MQ-8C was to be delivered on 30 September. First flight was scheduled for early to mid-October, although the exact date was not determined, as such tests are often delayed by minor system problems. The MQ-8C flight test regime is to last six months.^[11]

The MQ-8C Fire Scout first flew on 31 October 2013. It flew for 7 minutes in restricted airspace using autonomous controls at Naval Base Ventura County. It flew a second time hours later that day to an altitude of 500 ft. The MQ-8C was jointly operated by Northrop Grumman and the Navy.^[12] Northrop Grumman delivered the second MQ-8C on 25 November 2013. They are under contract to build 14 helicopters.^[13] The second MQ-8C flew on 12 February 2014. The aircraft had flown 66 hours by February 2014.^[14] On 10 March 2014, the MQ-8C reached 100 flight hours.^[15] 19 C-model Fire Scouts are on order with two in flight testing;^[16] the first deployment on an LCS is scheduled for 2015.^[17] The MQ-8C began testing aboard the Jason Dunham on 16 December 2014, executing 22 landings and recoveries in less than four hours.^[18] Testing was completed on 19 December, executing 32 takeoffs and recoveries over three flights.^[1][19]

Northrop Grumman flew the MQ-8C demonstrator installed with their AN/ZPY-1 STARLite Radar, although there was no requirement for an MQ-8C radar at the time;^[20] the Navy began seeking information for a radar for the MQ-8C in July 2014 with surface search, synthetic aperture radar, inverse SAR, and weather mode capabilities.^[21] A request for proposals (RFP) for a radar for the MQ-8C is expected to be released in early 2015. Although the AN/ZPY-4 has been installed on some B-model Fire Scouts, the larger C-model can accommodate a larger and more powerful radar.^[22] The MQ-8C will be ready to perform surface warfare missions in 2018 and mine countermeasure missions in 2020.^[23]

The first operational MQ-8C was delivered to the US Navy in December 2014.^[24]

Variants

MQ-8C Fire-X

Improved variant of the MQ-8B Fire Scout using avionics from the MQ-8B into the larger Bell 407 airframe. It has a 14 hr endurance with 600-700 lb in payload.^[25]

Operators

 United States

• United States Navy

Specifications (MQ-8C)

Size and performance differences between the Fire Scout and Fire-X drones

Data from Northrop Grumman,^[26]

General characteristics

• Crew: 0
• Payload: 2,950 lb ()
• Length: 34.7 ft (10.6 m)
• Rotor diameter: 36.6 ft (11.2 m)
• Height: 10.9 ft (3.3 m)
• Max. takeoff weight: 6,000 lb ()
• Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C47B, 813 shp (606 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 140 knots (260 km/h)
• Endurance: 15 hours maximum
• Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)

See also

Related development

• Bell 407
• Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout

Related lists

• List of active United States military aircraft

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout.

• MQ-8C Fire-X page on northropgrumman.com