NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND: The Navy declared initial operational capability of the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter June 28 clearing the way for fleet operations and training. The MQ-8 Fire Scout is a sea-based, vertical lift unmanned system that is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea […]

DefenceTalkChina is promoting an unmanned reconnaissance / combat helicopter in the international market, further expanding the scope of its military drones offered to foreign buyers. Aviation Industry Corp of China, the State-owned aircraft giant, has put its AV500W unmanned autonomous helicopter on display at the fourth China Helicopter Expo that opened on Thursday in Tianjin. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-unveils-unmanned-attack-helicopter-70476/

DefenceTalkCarrier-based aircraft are military aircraft designed specifically for operations from aircraft carriers. The term is generally applied only to fixed-wing aircraft, as naval helicopters are able to operate from a wider variety of aviation-capable ships. Carrier-based aircraft must be relatively sturdy to withstand demanding carrier operations. They must be able to launch in a short […]https://www.defencetalk.com/gallery-blue-sky-thinking-colors-chinas-drone-industry-60630/

DefenceTalkNorthrop Grumman will build five additional U.S. Navy MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopters, which allow ship commanders to extend their intelligence-gathering capabilities far beyond the horizon. Final assembly of the aircraft will take place at the company’s Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point, Miss. The MQ-8C is based on a larger helicopter airframe that provides […]https://www.defencetalk.com/northrop-to-build-five-more-mq-8c-fire-scouts-for-the-us-navy-59265/