MQ-8C to test mine countermeasure system

The U.S. Navy’s MQ-8C will soon be flying its heaviest payload carried to date when it starts testing the Single System Multi-Mission Airborne Mine Detection (SMAMD) system.


Photo: U.S. Navy

The sensor will allow the largest variant of the Fire Scout to detect and localize mines and obstacles on land and at-sea.

UX-24 has been preparing for the test by flying mass equivalency models on the MQ-8C to gather data to allow for the evaluation of air vehicle performance and handling to assess safety of flight assessment and airworthiness.

Using optical sensors, the SMAMD is suppose to be able to detect mines on land, drifting mines and moored mines both in shallow water and deep water up to 10 kilometers offshore.

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