The  MQ-8B Fire-Scout Vertical take-off and landing Unmanned Aerial System (VUAS) completed a series of demonstration tests in desert conditions, conducted in the UAE in a period of 10 days in early July 2010.

The next phase of the program is the Navy’s upcoming Operational Evaluation of the FireScout, planned for late 2010 aboard the USS Halyburton (FFG-40).

During the recent test flights the exercises included numerous takeoffs and landings in hot, windy and sandy conditions in temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius (122 degree Fahrenheit). The VUAS also conducted various test flights at altitudes up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) operating the Electro-Optical payload system. Mission demonstrations included non-line-of-sight operations, highlighting the system’s ability to operate autonomously in remote locations. The Fire Scout’s ability to operate at low ground speeds makes it particularly well suited for supporting littoral missions such as drug interdiction, search and rescue, reconnaissance and port security. It can also acquire and track targets in complex and urban terrain.

During some of the flights the FireScout carried UAE markings, alluding to the nation’s interest in this new capability. The UAE has particular interest in rotary-wing UAVs. Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investment (ADASI), a local company was established in 2007 to manage the system integration, deployment and local support of the  Austrian S100 Camcopter VUAS from Schiebel, supporting the UAE Armed Forces ‘Al Sabr’ program. “This VUAS has many unique capabilities to offer and we’re looking forward to reviewing the results of this in-country testing” said Ali Al Yafei, CEO of the ADASI), welcoming the FireScout Navy-Industry team.

The Fire Scout Industry Team includes Sikorsky/Schweizer Aircraft, Rolls-Royce, Raytheon, FLIR Systems, Cubic, Kearfott, Rockwell-Collins, General Electric, Sierra Nevada, Telephonics, and L-3 Communications.