Northrop Grumman, Navy Prove Fire Scout Ready for Unrestricted Flights Off USS Halyburton

In preparation for deployment early next year, Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy have verified that the MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical unmanned aircraft system is functionally compatible with communications systems on board the USS Halyburton (FFG-40).

This process, known as integration verification, cleared the way for Fire Scout to conduct bluewater – unrestricted – operations from the Halyburton.

Performed Nov. 4-8 in the western Atlantic Ocean, integration verification included functional checks on the ship, verification that Fire Scout payloads worked properly, and completion of a long-duration flight at distance from the ship. A team of Northrop Grumman engineers and operators on board the ship helped re-familiarize Navy operators with Fire Scout's control systems.

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