US Navy Successfully Tests First Helicopter Drone
- 9 years ago
The United States Navy has successfully run their first test flights of an unmanned helicopter drone taking off from a Destroyer stationed in the Atlantic off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia.
The United States Navy has successfully run its first test flights of an unmanned helicopter drone taking off from a Destroyer stationed in the Atlantic off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia.
On December 16th, the drone finished a series of take-offs and precision landings from aboard the USS Jason Dunham, a destroyer that is smaller than aircraft carriers used by the US Navy.
The MQ-8C Fire Scout reportedly has a flight range of around 150 nautical miles, and can carry a payload of over 7 hundred pounds.
Captain Jeff Dodge, Fire Scout program manager with Naval Air Systems Command is quoted as saying: “The MQ-8C Fire Scout's flights from the USS Dunham represent a significant Navy milestone. This is the first sea-based flight of the MQ-8C, and the first time an unmanned helicopter has operated from a destroyer.”
The remotely controlled drone is based on the design of the Bell 407 utility helicopter, which is an aircraft used all over the world by governments, militaries, and private organizations.
The drone is an upgrade that can fly longer and carry more weight than the previous MQ-8B model.
According to the Navy, MQ-8C drones will be ready to use for missions starting in 2016.
The United States Navy has successfully run its first test flights of an unmanned helicopter drone taking off from a Destroyer stationed in the Atlantic off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia.
On December 16th, the drone finished a series of take-offs and precision landings from aboard the USS Jason Dunham, a destroyer that is smaller than aircraft carriers used by the US Navy.
The MQ-8C Fire Scout reportedly has a flight range of around 150 nautical miles, and can carry a payload of over 7 hundred pounds.
Captain Jeff Dodge, Fire Scout program manager with Naval Air Systems Command is quoted as saying: “The MQ-8C Fire Scout's flights from the USS Dunham represent a significant Navy milestone. This is the first sea-based flight of the MQ-8C, and the first time an unmanned helicopter has operated from a destroyer.”
The remotely controlled drone is based on the design of the Bell 407 utility helicopter, which is an aircraft used all over the world by governments, militaries, and private organizations.
The drone is an upgrade that can fly longer and carry more weight than the previous MQ-8B model.
According to the Navy, MQ-8C drones will be ready to use for missions starting in 2016.