Northrop Grumman [NOC] on Tuesday said that an MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft system (UAS) earlier this month flew off a Coast Guard cutter for the first time as part of the service’s ongoing efforts to determine a way forward for acquiring ship-borne UAS.
The Dec. 5 flight occurred on the National Security Cutter
Bertholf off the coast of Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, Calif. The UAS, which is made by Northrop Grumman, was controlled and operated by Navy pilots and Coast Guard personnel from a Fire Scout control station aboard the vessel.
The Fire Scout UAS is currently deployed by the Navy on frigates and Littoral Combat Ships.
“The MQ-8B Fire Scout is the Navy’s combat-proven unmanned helicopter, and can provide the same persistent maritime surveillance capabilities for the Coast Guard,” George Vardoulakis, vice president for Medium Range Tactical Systems at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, said in a statement.
The Coast Guard has also been testing UAS from other manufacturers, including AeroVironment [AVAV], for operations from its National Security Cutters and an icebreaker.