U.S. Navy drone helicopter demonstrates expeditionary functionality throughout train

The U.S. Naval Air Techniques Command has introduced that the Navy’s MQ-8C Hearth Scout just lately supported an Expeditionary Superior Base Operations (EABO) train off the coast of California, demonstrating its functionality to transition from ship-to-shore in a maritime setting.

The MQ-8C Hearth Scout participated within the Resolute Hunter train June 21-July 1, flying a complete of 23 hours and proving the unmanned helicopter’s expeditionary use from land and throughout a number of ship courses.

Resolute Hunter is a joint and coalition giant power train targeted on coaching personnel on battle administration, command and management and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

“Hearth Scout is the Navy’s solely unmanned helicopter with the flexibility to deploy from a ship or land with ISR&T on the prolonged vary required for future warfighting,” mentioned Capt. Dennis Monagle, Hearth Scout program supervisor. “The system is important in expeditionary use for situational consciousness and demanding decision-making.”

In the course of the train, Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 23 efficiently launched MQ-8C Hearth Scout from Level Mugu and accomplished a hand-off to the detachment’s Moveable Mission Management Station (MCS-P) at San Clemente Island. The moveable MCS-P floor management station helps Hearth Scout basing in austere areas on land, helipad operations in a complicated ahead location, and logistics help from ship flight decks.

With the versatile MCS-P, Hearth Scout has the flexibility to land on one other ship or an expeditionary shore web site the place a runway shouldn’t be possible.

Hearth Scout is at present deployed aboard USS Jackson (LCS-6) within the Indo-Pacific area. The Navy plans to proceed deployments aboard LCS with future deployments deliberate on Constellation-class guided-missile frigates and potential operations from shore websites beneath the EABO idea.