Coast Guard Interest Gains As Fire Scout Testing Advances

By John C. Marcario, Assistant Editor

Northrop Grumman's MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV) made a three-hour test run aboard the frigate USS McInerney off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., in late April. It marked the first time the Navy had successfully operated an autonomous flight operations test with a VTUAV aboard a surface combat vessel.

"The aircraft has done everything we wanted it to do, so far," said Capt. Tim Dunigan, Navy VTUAV program manager, during a press briefing at the Sea-Air-Space Exposition at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Md., May 4.

Shipboard testing will continue this month, he said.

The Coast Guard is considering acquiring the Fire Scout and has been discussing requirements and testing updates with the Navy, Dunigan said.

"They are getting into that arena now and would like greater insight," he said.

The Coast Guard is looking to acquire a land- and ship-based VTUAV. The service initially had planned to acquire Bell Helicopter's Eagle Eye tilt-rotor UAV, but halted development on the program in late 2007 because of budgetary concerns to explore other options.

"They are very cautious and I don't blame them," Dunigan said of the Coast Guard's interest in Fire Scout.