US Military has developed a part drone part helicopter that is one of its kind remote controller rotor aircraft which can be classified as a drone. MQ-8C Fire Scout from the Northrun Grunman is a surveillance drone which has the inherent capabilities of a helicopter when it comes to maneuverability and the remote controlled properties of a drone. Shown off at Sea Air Space Expo 2013, MQ-8C Fire Scout powered by Rolls Royce 250-C47B engine is a fully automatic courtesy the full authority digital electronic control, single engine unmanned helicopter that can perform a number of tasks such as reconnaissance, target acquisition and surveillance operations without putting the pilot’s life at stake.
Measuring 41.4 feet in length, 7.8 feet in width and 10.9 feet in height; the MQ-8C Fire Scout has rotor diameter of 35 feet and capability to soar the skies with a gross takeoff weight of 6000 lbs. Apparently the US navy awarded Northrop Grumman with a $71 million contract to acquire 30 MQ-8C Fire Scout aircrafts which supports both maritime and land-based missions to meet navy’s requirements. MQ-8C Fire Scout can reach a top speed of 140 knots with a maximum flight time of 14 hours at a maximum height of 17,000 feet above sea level carrying payload of 1000 lbs (internal) and sling load of 2,650 lbs.
According to US navy experts, this drone helicopter could very well be the future of aviation for a variety of missions that are otherwise very difficult to execute. As for now only the scale model of MQ-8C Fire Scout helicopter drone has been shown to the media and general public and the real life model is expected to be out by the end of this year.
Via: PopSci
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