Northrop Grumman Systems Corp was awarded a $55.1 million contract by the U.S. Navy for the procurement of five MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned air systems and two lightweight fuel cells.
The Fire Scout program comprises two aircraft: the original MQ-8B and the larger MQ-8C Endurance Upgrade. The MQ-8B is based on the Schweizer 333, while the MQ-8C incorporates the MQ-8B electronics systems into the Bell 407 airframe. The aircraft are used aboard ships to provide the Navy with real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
At one point, the Navy had removed 10 MQ-8Cs from its procurement plan, but Congress restored these aircraft to the FY17 and FY18 budgets. The Fire Scouts in this contract were funded in FY18.
The first operational MQ-8C was delivered in 2014.
Shaun's deep-rooted interest in military equipment continues in his role as a senior defense analyst with a focus on the United States. He played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, an interactive online product that tracks Pentagon acquisition programs throughout the congressional budget process. As editor of International Military Markets – North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. He is a regular contributor to Forecast International's Defense & Security Monitor blog and has co-authored white papers on global defense spending and various military programs.
