Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout is an unmanned autonomous helicopter developed for the United States Armed Forces to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting for ground, air and sea forces. The Navy sought a vertical takeoff and landing successor to its RQ-2 Pioneers, and the Teledyne Ryan and Schweizer entry won the competition in the spring of 2000. The first RQ-8A was based on the Schweizer 330, the enhanced MQ-8B was derived from the Schweizer 333, and the larger MQ-8C variant is based on the Bell 407. The MQ-8B has a Rolls-Royce 250 turboshaft engine, a payload capacity of 600 pounds and a maximum speed of 115 knots. Twenty-three MQ-8Bs were in Navy service in February 2018, and the MQ-8B was retired in October 2022.