The Northrop Fire Scout hovers over the deck of the guided-missile frigate McInerney. So far, the Fire Scout has been restricted to reconnaissance work. (MC2 Alan Gragg, U.S. Navy / May 8, 2009)Navy Signs $17-Million Deal For Armed Drones -- L.A. Times
The Northrop Grumman deal calls for placing laser-guided missiles on the Fire Scout helicopter, which has been restricted to reconnaissance missions.
In 100 years of naval aviation, only the most experienced combat pilots have performed the difficult task of launching an attack on a nearby target and returning the aircraft to a ship as it bobs in the ocean.
Now that tricky task is being turned over to unmanned drones.
With a $17-million contract, the U.S. Navy has taken the first step in arming its fleet of drone helicopters with laser-guided missiles to blast enemy targets. The Northrop Grumman Corp.-made MQ-8B Fire Scout would be Navy's first sea-based unmanned system to carry weapons when it's delivered within 15 months.
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My Comment: The U.S. Navy is a few years behind in drone technology .... but they are quickly catching up.
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