The Northrop Grumman Corporationbuilt MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter surpassed 5,000 flight hours while providing critical surveillance capabilities to field commanders in Afghanistan. Since deploying to Afghanistan in 2011, the MQ-8 Fire Scout system has provided realtime airborne surveillance and targeting supporting counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs), provided targeting support and delivered real-time video to military forces on the ground.

“Fire Scout’s versatility makes it an ideal intelligence-gathering asset for military units on the front line, both on land and at sea,” said Captain Patrick Smith, Program Manager, Naval Air Systems Command.

Combined with testing and Fire Scout’s six at-sea deployments aboard Navy frigates, the system has eclipsed 10,000 flight hours supporting naval and ground commanders with critical intelligence-gathering capabilities to respond to threats.