MQ-8B Fire Scout Receives U.S. Navy Contract Award for Second Year of Low Rate Initial Production
Northrop Grumman's MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) system demonstrates maturity as it moves into the second year of low-rate initial production (LRIP) with a $32.9 million contract award from the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command. The company received the award recently for the second of three planned LRIP buys.
The Navy plans to conduct Technical Evaluation of the Fire Scout aboard an FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate in early 2009 and will conduct Operational Evaluation (OpEval) in the summer 2009. The Fire Scout will reach Initial Operating Capability soon after OpEval in 2009.
| | |
|
|
