MQ-8B Fire Scout and Fire-X Overview and Status Update June 2011 Mike Fuqua Director, Business Development Tactical Unmanned Systems Northrop Grumman Aerospace System Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: Approved for Public Release Northrop Grumman C/N UMS-2009-017, February 2009; Approved for Public Release, Office of Security Review 09-S-2433; July 15, 2009; Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 10-731 Dated 11 May 2010; Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 10-374 Dated 25 March 2010; NGAS Case 10-0322; Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 09-255 Dated 11 March 2009; Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 11-008, 1 February 2011; Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited:, NAVAIR 08-760 Dated 15 August 2008; Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 10-0323 Dated 3/15/10; Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 10-0615 Dated 4/29/10; Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0091, 2/9/11;NAVAIR Approval 2/16/11; Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 10-0615 Dated 4/29/10; Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11; Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 11-924, 16 June 2011
OQ-2 OQ-19/SD-1 RP-76 BQM-74 X-47A UCAS RQ-4 Block 20/30/40 Global Hawk Euro Hawk BAMS RQ-8A Fire Scout Compass Cope RQ-4 ACTD/Block 10 Global Hawk Combat Dawn BQM-34 BQM-145A Compass Arrow M324 AQM-34 SPA Firebolt X-47B UCAS MQ-8B Fire Scout Bat MQ-5B Hunter BQM-74E BQM-74F RQ-5A Hunter E-Hunter 2 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 10-0680 Dated 5/13/10
MQ-8B Fire Scout U.S. Navy key enabler for the littoral combat ship mission Anti-submarine warfare Anti-surface warfare Mine warfare Will complement (not replace) and reduce the burden on manned systems USS McInerney FFG-8 Extremely mature, reliable and maintainable Primary missions intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting Growth paths to communications relay and others USS Freedom LCS-1 The Enabler: Persistent, Flexible and Lethal 3 Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 10-374 Dated 25 March 2010; NGAS Case 10-0322
MQ-8B Fire Scout Only US Navy Funded Vertical UAS Program of Record (POR) Ten years of development activity RQ-8A MQ-8B Spiral payload development enabled by Modular Mission Payload Architecture Demonstrated reliable continuous shipboard operations 4 Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 11-265, 1 March 2011
Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout Program Description Mission: The Fire Scout System is designed to provide intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) to tactical users Platforms: The Fire Scout System is designed to operate from all air capable ships Description A Fire Scout System consists of: 1-3 MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned rotary wing air vehicles Electro-optical/infra-red /laser pointer and range finder modular mission payloads Automatic Identification System Maritime Radar in 2012 Ground Control Station (integrated in ship CIC) incorporating the tactical common data link (TCDL) and tactical control system (TCS) 1 Unmanned Common Automatic Recovery Systems 1 grid (NATO standard) for shipboard operations Employment: Fielded on the USS McInerney (FFG 8). Deployments will continue aboard the USS Halyburton (FFG 40) followed by the Littoral Combat Ships 5 Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 11-265, 1 March 2011
MQ-8B Fire Scout Program Description Mission: Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting data to Tactical users (ISR-T) Complementary Aircraft Capabilities Platforms: Designed to operate from all Air Capable Hosts Description - A Fire Scout System consists of: 1-3 VTUAV equipped with Brite Star II (EO/IR) MQ-8B MH-60 Ground Control Station (integrated into ship) incorporating the Tactical Control System (TCS), utilizing Tactical Common DataLink (TCDL), Unmanned Common Automatic Recovery System (UCARS) VTUAV OPERATIONS SCHEDULE Weapons Firing Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 11-924, 16 June 2011
Fire Scout Specification & Size Comparisons L (ft) H (ft) Rtr D (ft) GW (lbs) Max (kts) Ceil (ft) End (hrs) MH-60S/R 64.8 17.5 53.7 22,500 180 13,000 3.0/3.5 MQ-8B 30 9.7 27.5 3,150 85+ 12,500+ 6.0+ Jet Ranger 39.2 8.3 33.4 3,350 128 20,000 4.7 Length 30 ft (9.15 m) Rotor Diameter 27.5 ft (8.4 m) Height 9.7 ft (2.96 m) Gross Weight 3,150 lbs (1,429 kg) Engine Rolls-Royce 250-C20W Speed 85+ Knots Ceiling 12,500+ ft (3.8 km) Endurance 6+ Hours 13.75 ft (4.2 m) 30 ft (9.15 m) 15.5 ft (4.7 m) 3 MQ-8B Aircraft Stowage within SH-60 Footprint 14.5 Degree 9.7 ft (2.96 m) 7.5 ft (2.3 m) WLO 1.92 ft (.6 m) 7.58 ft (2.3 m) 5.75 ft (1.8 m) 7 Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 11-265, 1 March 2011
Fire Scout Operational Status Military Utility Assessments USS McInerney Summary 6 month deployment in Pacific Twenty-four (24) flights, 60+ flight hours Mission: Counter-narcotics and Air Det Training First UAV assist in successful drug interdiction mission (3.3 hrs. of covert surveillance) USCG detachment made the arrests USS Halyburton is deployed with Fire Scout in January for 5 th /6 th fleet operations to include Horn of Africa ISRTF will sponsor Navy Fire Scouts to deploy overseas in early 2011 Primary mission is full motion video (300 hours per month) Alternate mission is to Counter Improved Explosive Devices 8 Fire Scout tour on McInerney culminated with successful Detect-to-Intercept Counter Narcotics Operation Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 11-265, 1 March 2011
MQ-8B Fire Scout Current Status Contracts FY11 -- Eleven vehicles NOV 2010 LCS-1 Dynamic Interface and FFG- 40 Workup Periods JAN 2011 USS HALYBURTON CENTCOM Deployment -- Counter piracy, maritime ISR, humanitarian tasking, maritime support of SOF proof of concept Excellent performance (220+ hrs / 98.2% sortie completion rate) Program record for single day long duration ops (18.1 hrs) Conducted dual H-60/VTUAV ops May 2011 - >2000 total MQ-8B Flight Hours ISR TF Deployment to Afghanistan Aircraft & personnel arrived April Flight operations underway since early May Excellent interaction with US Army RADAR; SRR funded; awaiting budget Weapons; RDC; funded FY11 Littoral Combat Ship Dynamic Interface Testing LCS-1 DI (Completed NOV 2010, OT FY12) LCS-2 DI (APR 2011) USS HALYBURTON (FFG-40) Underway NOV 2010 Deployment Jan-Aug 2011 2 MQ-8B/1 SH60B Specialized Payloads AIS ISR TF CENTCOM Deployment Detachment in place; IOC May 2011 3 A/C, 2 GCS, 300 hrs/mo FMV using GOCO contract Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 11-924, 16 June 2011
Demonstrated Flexibility The Army Maneuver Battle Lab conducts AEWE each year at Fort Benning, GA to refine capability gaps focused on Network-Enabled Warfare at the Small Unit Level Fire Scout demonstrated unique Vertical UAS capabilities in various scenarios Using its EO/IR sensor for RSTA/ISR Aerodynamic pods for MAINGATE communication relay UHF Wide Band Router (5 Mbps) Pelican case cargo pods for small unit resupply Unique sling system for Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) and Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) deployment Small Unit Logistics Resupply MAINGATE Comms Relay, RSTA/ISR Day/Night ops Autonomous Logistics Resupply at Unprepared Site Unmanned Ground Vehicle Deployment NG s Universal Control Station 10 Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 10-0323 Dated 3/15/10
Mission Capability Comparison Fire Scout Complements Many Current Mission Sets MQ-8B and SH-60B Current Long Dwell Surveillance SAR Search Force Protection Multiplier Mine Warfare (compliment MH-60S) Future ASUW Large Area Surveillance ASUW Kill Data Relay ASUW Search ASUW Detect ASUW Track ASUW ID Surveillance Communication Relay Maintain Common Operating Picture Logistics Search and Rescue ASW Search ASW Detect ASW Track ASW Classify ASW Kill ASUW Large Area Surveillance ASUW Kill 11 Flexibility, Mission Enhancement and Future Capability at Low Maintenance and Logistics Cost Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 09-255 Dated 11 March 2009
Fire Scout Payload Spiral Development USN Baseline Near Term Payloads Future/Potential EO/IR/LRF Automatic Identification System RADAR (Baseline in 2012) Communications and data relay packages Chem/Bio/Nuclear Detect Homeland Security EW/SIGINT SATCOM Acoustic relay Lightweight sonobuoys FLIR Star SAFIRE III Logistics Supply Pods Maritime Multi-Mode Radar Mine Detection Logistics Supply Pods EO/IR/LRF Modular Payload Architecture Swap payloads between missions (Load and Go) System recognizes payload and automatically loads software module Easily accommodate new payloads via defined interface specifications and open architecture Minor control changes to hardware/software on air vehicle and GCS for new payloads Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited: NAVAIR 10-731 Dated 11 May 2010
13 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 10-0615 Dated 4/29/10
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Fire-X Description Mission: To provide ship-based and/or land-based intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR) and cargo to tactical users Performance: 3200 lbs useful load 15 hrs time on station 140kts max airspeed 2650 lbs Max sling load 15 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 10-0615 Dated 4/29/10
Fire-X System Evolution Schweizer 333 Navy RQ-8A Existing TCS Control Segment Navy MQ-8B Fire X Demonstrator Fire-X Production UAV Bell 407 Bell 206L OH-58D Leverages MQ-8B Ship Integration Leverages current Navy program of record and over 10 years of development 16 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 10-0615 Dated 4/29/10
Fire-X System Makeup TCDL Wide band data link Component of LCS Added for other ship classes Ship Control Station Support Segment Deck Handling Refuel/Defuel Non-powered A/C movement Landing Grid MQ-8B Schweizer 333 Key Existing Modification New Common Equipment TCS Mission Execution Mission planning interface? Strike planning? Intel analysis LSO Method to monitor and communicate with aircraft Safety of Flight Ops UCARS Guidance, Nav, & Control Precision Nav ARC-210 Radios TCDL GPS/INS RADALT IFF Flight Power Conditioning Unit Aux Power Conditioning Unit Environmental Control System Ethernet Switch & Router Payload Interface Unit Ice Detector Vehicle Management Computers (2) Flight Control / Engine Actuators (6) Bell 407 Voice Digitizing Module Engine Interface Unit EO/IR Payload Ground control Panel I/O Data Panel Harpoon 3 UHF/VHF Antennas 1 UCARS Antenna 2 TCDL Antennas 2 GPS/INS Antennas 2 RADALT Antennas 2 IFF Antennas Air Vehicle Software 97% common software, 3% Vehicle Specific Module All system attributes greater than TRL 9 17 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11
MQ-8B to Fire-X Comparison Fire-X 17.5 ft (5.33m) Performance Metric Fire-X MQ-8B Fire Scout Maximum Speed 135 knots 100 knots Cruise Speed 120 knots 95 knots Service Ceiling 20,000 feet 12,500 feet Maximum Range (with 170 lb EO/IR sensor) Maximum Endurance (with 170 lb EO/IR sensor) 1227 nautical miles 618 nautical miles 15 hours 8 hours MQ-8B 1.4 ft (0.42 m) 8.7 ft (2.64 m) 34.7 ft (10.57 m) 41.4 ft (12.61 m) 13.75 ft (4.2 m) 3.8 ft (1.16 m) 10.8 ft (3.30 m) Useful Load (total fuel plus payload) 3200 pounds 1242 pounds 9.7 ft (2.96 m) 7.5 ft (2.3 m) 18 5.75 ft (1.8 m) 1.4 ft (0.42 m) Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11 7.85 ft (2.39 m) 23.95 ft (7.29 m)
MQ-8B Fire-X Size Comparison 19 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11
Fire-X: Multiple Missions Capable Key Features Versatile Field-reconfigurable payload design Proven UAS architecture, FAA-certified airframe Supports multi-intelligence, surveillance and/or specialized payloads Flexibility for internal, external and combination cargo loads Operates with Navy and Army control stations Global logistics infrastructure already in place Available payloads: EO/IR, SAR, Communications Relay, SIGINT, ELINT, Multi-INT 20 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 10-0615 Dated 4/29/10
Fire-X Missions Maritime ISR Surface Warfare Mine Counter Measures Anti-Submarine Warfare Anti-Piracy Counter Drug Ops Logistics Communications Relay Search & Rescue Littoral ISR Special Operations support Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief 21 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11
Operational View FORCEnet CSG/ESG EO/IR/LDRF Radar VTUAV TCDL BriteStar II EO/IR/LDRF and Radar Communications Relay Intel/Surv/ Recon/Targeting (ISRT) Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Sonar Mine-Counter-Mine (MCM) DATA COMMS 22 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11
Maritime ISR Fire-X extends the ISR horizon for the Fleet by expanding the Common Operating Picture Radar EO/IR AIS DATA COMMS 23 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11
Littoral ISR Fire-X provides ISR data on ports of interest Radar imagery EO/IR video SIGINT SIGINT EO/IR Radar DATA COMMS 24 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11
Surface Warfare EO/IR Small Boat Swarm Radar Fire-X enables early detection and classification of enemy vessels Also provides cross cueing to armed manned helos DATA COMMS 25 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11
Logistics Fire-X can carry over 2,600 lbs with external sling load 26 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11
Anti-Submarine Warfare / Communications Relay Radar EO/IR Non-acoustic search capability Cross-cueing to other ASW platforms (MH-60R, P-3C) Communication relay to other airborne assets or back to the ship Sonar DATA COMMS 27 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11
Summary Fire-X demonstrates the MQ-8B s proven and highly-reliable architecture is transplantable and can significantly accelerate the time to field increased capability at an affordable cost 28 Approved for Public Release: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems Case 11-0461, 4/5/11; NAVAIR Approval 4/7/11