Navy tests MQ-8C unmanned helos

Northrop Grumman's MQ-8C unmanned autonomous helicopter has completed precision sloped landing tests at a U.S. Navy base in California.

The testing of Fire Scout at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, was to further validate the aircraft's capabilities in preparation for at-sea testing later this year.

"The sloped takeoff and landing tests are designed to be as real as it gets to actually operating on a Navy ship," said Capt. Patrick Smith, Fire Scout program manager at Naval Air Systems Command. "The autonomous MQ-8C Fire Scout system is able to precisely track and understand the roll and pitch of the surface which resembles at-sea conditions."

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