MQ-8B Army Fire Scout
Program Overview:
Continuous C4ISR, RSTA Engagement Capability and Quick Delivery to Operational and Tactical Forces
The Fire Scout Class IV UAV provides unprecedented situational awareness, precision targeting, communications relay and unmanned logistics delivery for FCS and the Army's Future Force.
The Fire Scout system supports multidimensional air-ground operations and manned-unmanned teaming and connectivity to Army and Joint Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and communications systems.
The Fire Scout has the ability to autonomously take off and land at unprepared and unimproved landing zones in close proximity to Corps, Division and Brigade Command Posts and Tactical Operations Centers.
Modular mission packages include Northrop Grumman's Airborne Surveillance and Target Acquisition Minefield Detection System (ASTAMIDS) sensor. Additional sensors include a Tactical Synthetic Aperture Radar (TSAR/MTI), a communications relay package, a training sensor, Mine, Chemical and Radiological detection and a RF emissions locator. The highly reliable air vehicle is based on a COTS airframe and propulsion system. This design approach provides a robust platform to meet FCS Class IV requirements and provides the capability for growth.
With an Air Vehicle endurance of over seven hours, the Class IV UAV System, consisting of four Fire Scouts, is capable of continuous operations. The Fire Scout's EO/IR sensor and laser range finder- designator means it can quickly and accurately detect, locate, identify, track, designate targets and perform battle damage assessment. Acting as a communications node with its Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) and WIN-T components Fire Scout extends the effectiveness and flexibility of the C4ISR architecture.
Fire Scout as an integral part of the networked Brigade Combat Team (BCT) will enable commanders to see first, understand first, act first and finish decisively.
The MQ-8B Class IV UAV is based on the highly successful RQ-8A VTUAV System developed for the U.S. Navy, and currently in test and evaluation having successfully completed over 200 test flights since May 2002. The Army and Navy are exercising a Joint Acquisition strategy of the MQ-8B to maximize commonality between the two services.
