Fire Scout is the Navy's vehicle take-off unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV), which is programmed to deploy aboard the Littoral Combat Ship and turn into operational in FY 09. through the summer of 2005 The fire Scout was re-designated from one RQ-8B to MQ-8B. This new designation, MQ, reflects the multi-mission functionality of these Fire Scout.
The Fire Scout UAS will provide day/night real time ISR and targeting as well as communication-relay and battlefield management capabilities to support core Littoral Combat Ship mission locations of ASW, MIW and ASUW for the Naval forces. The Navy is Obtaining the MQ-8B Fire Scout UAV to acomplish the service's requirement for a tactical UAV capable of operating in the shipboard environment.
A baseline payload which includes electro-optical/infrared sensors plus a laser designator enables Fire Scout to look for tactical targets, track and designate targets, accurately provide targeting data to strike platforms and perform battle harm assessment. The fire Scout Vertical Take-Off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) system is comprised of ground control stations, as much as three MQ-8B Fire Scout air vehicles, and associated control handling and support equipment.
