US's Surprise Flying Killer Confused with a Completely Different Aircraft

Summary

The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Navy, revolutionizing naval capabilities with its autonomous systems. Initially deployed for reconnaissance during the Libyan civil war in 2011, the Fire Scout has evolved through various models, including the MQ-8B with enhanced lift and noise reduction. Equipped with a range of sensors and capable of carrying armaments, the Fire Scout supports maritime surveillance, target identification, and anti-piracy operations. The MQ-8C Fire-X, introduced in 2019, boasts improved range, endurance, and payload capacity, setting the stage for the future of rotary-wing UAVs in the US Navy.

Takeaways

• 🛫 The MQ-8 Fire Scout is a state-of-the-art, autonomous, Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTOL-UAV) developed by Northrop Grumman and deployed by the US Navy for reconnaissance and other roles.
• 🔎 Initially mistaken for a lethal Apache gunship, the Fire Scout was shot down in Libya in 2011, with its wreckage revealing its true identity as a drone helicopter.
• 🚀 The US Navy uses UAVs like the Fire Scout for various purposes, including maritime surveillance, target identification, mine detection, and cargo transport, marking a step towards modernizing naval capabilities with autonomous systems.
• 🛳 The Navy sought a second-generation UAV to replace the aging AAI RQ-2 Pioneers, requiring capabilities like VTOL, a 125-mile range, and the ability to operate in high winds.
• 🏗️ Schweizer's Model 330 was chosen as the basis for the Fire Scout, leading to the development of the RQ-8A Fire Scout with modifications for UAV sensors and electronics.
• 🛰 The Fire Scout's control system allows for operation up to 172 miles over line of sight, with features like a sensor ball turret for infrared and electro-optic cameras, and a laser range finder.
• ❌ Despite initial development, the Fire Scout project was canceled by the US Navy in 2001 due to unmet expectations, but development continued privately and attracted US Army interest.
• 🚁 The MQ-8B Fire Scout, an upgraded version with a four-blade rotor system, was designed for better lift capabilities and noise reduction, and was tested for use with ground troops.
• 💣 The MQ-8B can carry various armaments, including laser-guided bombs, rockets, and missiles, as well as advanced sensor systems for enhanced surveillance and targeting.
• 🌐 The Fire Scout has been deployed in various operations, including anti-piracy missions off the coast of Africa and drug interdiction efforts, demonstrating its versatility.
• 📈 The MQ-8C Fire Scout, based on the Bell 407 helicopter, has significantly increased capabilities with a higher payload, faster speed, and longer endurance, leading to the retirement of the original Fire Scout.

Q & A

What type of UAV was deployed by the US Navy during the Libyan civil war in 2011?

The US Navy deployed an unmanned state-of-the-art Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTOL-UAV) known as the MQ-8 Fire Scout drone helicopter.

What was the initial confusion surrounding the MQ-8 Fire Scout after it was shot down?

The MQ-8 Fire Scout was initially mistaken for a lethal Apache gunship by Libyan State TV, which claimed to have destroyed a rebel Apache. However, analysis of the debris revealed its true identity as a Fire Scout drone helicopter.

What roles do UAVs serve in the US Navy?

UAVs in the US Navy serve various roles such as maritime surveillance, target identification, mine detection, targeted strikes, electronic warfare, and cargo transport.

Why did the US Navy seek a second-generation UAV to replace the AAI RQ-2 Pioneer?

The Navy sought a second-generation UAV to enhance future operational capabilities due to the rapidly aging Pioneer fleet, which was first introduced in the 1980s.

What were the key requirements for the new VTOL-UAV system proposed by the US Navy?

The new VTOL-UAV system needed to have a payload capacity of around 200 pounds, a minimum range of 125 miles, a service ceiling close to 20,000 feet, and an endurance on station of three to four hours, as well as the ability to land on a Navy ship under winds of 29 miles per hour.

Which company's design was chosen for the VTOL-UAV, and what was its basis?

Schweizer's design was chosen for the VTOL-UAV. It was based on the company's Model 330, a three-passenger commercial light utility helicopter.

What was the significance of the MQ-8B Fire Scout's four-blade main rotor system?

The four-blade main rotor system was designed to enhance lift capabilities and performance while minimizing noise, and it increased the gross takeoff weight to 3,150 pounds, accommodating payloads of up to 700 pounds for military missions over short ranges.

How did the MQ-8B Fire Scout contribute to the US Army's operations?

The MQ-8B Fire Scout was tested for use with ground troops and could carry armaments such as Viper Strike laser-guided bombs, laser-guided 70-millimeter folding-fin rockets, Hellfire missiles, and pods equipped with the APKWS, enhancing the Army's aerial support capabilities.

What was the Fire Scout's first official drug bust like, and what role did it play?

The Fire Scout's first official drug bust involved detecting a small, fast-moving boat suspected of drug smuggling. It trailed the boat for over three hours, providing visual data that allowed the Coast Guardsmen to successfully intercept and detain the drug traffickers.

What happened to the Fire Scout during Operation Unified Protector in Libya in 2011?

During Operation Unified Protector, the US Navy lost contact with a Fire Scout conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations over Libya. Libyan state TV claimed that government forces had taken down an Apache gunship, but the debris revealed that it was actually a US Navy Fire Scout.

What is the MQ-8C Fire Scout, and how does it differ from the original Fire Scout?

The MQ-8C Fire Scout, also known as Fire-X, is a second variant based on the Bell Model 407 helicopter. It has a payload capacity of 2,950 pounds, a length of 34 feet, and a height of 10 feet. It significantly doubled the range and endurance and tripled the payload capacity compared to the original Fire Scout.

Outlines

00:00

🚁 Introduction to the MQ-8 Fire Scout

The MQ-8 Fire Scout is an advanced Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTOL UAV) developed by Northrop Grumman and deployed by the US Navy for reconnaissance missions. Initially mistaken for an Apache gunship and shot down during the Libyan civil war in 2011, the Fire Scout gained attention for its unique capabilities. The Navy sought a VTOL UAV with a 200-pound payload capacity, a 125-mile range, and the ability to operate in high winds. The RQ-8A Fire Scout was designed based on Schweizer's Model 330 helicopter and was later upgraded to the MQ-8B with a four-blade rotor system for enhanced performance. The MQ-8B was capable of carrying various payloads, including armaments and advanced sensors, and was tested for use with ground troops.

05:04

🛰️ Fire Scout's Evolution and Naval Deployments

The MQ-8B Fire Scout underwent testing in 2006 and was reintroduced to the US Navy as the Sea Scout, leading to the development of additional variants with enhanced capabilities. The final design featured an electronic optics suite, maritime radar, communication relay, and mine detection systems. Powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C20 engine, the Fire Scout achieved a top speed of 132 mph and a range of 930 miles. It was deployed in Afghanistan for ISR operations and aboard the USS Klakring for anti-piracy missions off the coast of Africa. The Fire Scout also made its first drug bust in 2010 and was involved in Operation Unified Protector over Libya in 2011, where one was mistakenly shot down.

10:10

🚀 MQ-8C Fire Scout: The Next-Generation Helicopter Drone

Building on the success of the MQ-8B, Grumman introduced the MQ-8C Fire Scout, a variant based on the Bell 407 helicopter, in 2013. Known as Fire-X, this model offered significant improvements, including a 2,950-pound payload capacity, a top speed of 160 mph, and an endurance of 15 hours. The MQ-8C was powered by a Rolls-Royce 250-C47B engine and featured a larger size and increased capabilities. The US Navy awarded Grumman a contract to produce the MQ-8C, which officially entered service in June 2019. As of January 2023, over 40 Fire-Xs have been procured, with the original Fire Scout being retired due to the superior range, endurance, and payload capacity of the MQ-8C.

Keywords

💡Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTOL-UAV)

A Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, or VTOL-UAV, is a type of drone that can take off, hover, and land vertically like a helicopter, while also being capable of flying horizontally like a fixed-wing aircraft. In the video's context, the MQ-8 Fire Scout is an example of such a vehicle, designed for reconnaissance missions and capable of performing various roles like surveillance, target identification, and cargo transport. The VTOL capability is crucial for naval operations, allowing the drone to land on ships under varying wind conditions.

💡Reconnaissance Mission

A reconnaissance mission involves gathering information about an area, typically by observation or other means, to gain valuable intelligence. In the video, the MQ-8 Fire Scout drone helicopter was deployed on a reconnaissance mission in Libya, flying above the chaos of civil war to gather information far from the front lines. This mission was critical for understanding the situation on the ground and informing strategic decisions.

💡Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a major aerospace and defense technology company known for producing various aircraft and military technology. In the video, Northrop Grumman is identified as the engineering company behind the autonomous helicopter, the MQ-8 Fire Scout. They were responsible for integrating the drone's systems and became the primary contractor, providing the data link functions necessary to control the UAV.

💡MQ-8 Fire Scout

The MQ-8 Fire Scout is a specific model of VTOL-UAV developed for the U.S. Navy. It is designed to perform various military tasks, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and cargo transport. The video highlights the Fire Scout's deployment in Libya and its subsequent downing, which brought attention to the capabilities and potential of this unmanned rotor-wing UAV in modern military operations.

💡Autonomous Systems

Autonomous systems are those that operate without direct human intervention, often using AI and pre-programmed instructions to perform tasks. The U.S. Navy utilizes UAVs like the Fire Scout for modernizing naval capabilities with autonomous systems. These systems can carry out missions with minimal human oversight, enhancing efficiency and reducing risks to personnel.

💡RQ-8A Fire Scout

The RQ-8A Fire Scout is an earlier version of the VTOL-UAV developed by Schweizer Aircraft and later Northrop Grumman. It was initially designed to meet the U.S. Navy's requirements for a VTOL aircraft with a specific payload capacity and range. The script mentions the RQ-8A's first flight and its role in testing the capabilities of VTOL-UAVs before the development of the MQ-8B.

💡MQ-8B Fire Scout

The MQ-8B Fire Scout is an upgraded version of the VTOL-UAV, featuring a four-blade main rotor system for enhanced lift and performance. The video describes the MQ-8B's increased payload capacity and its use with both the U.S. Navy and Army. It also highlights the MQ-8B's role in various missions, including drug interdiction and surveillance.

💡USS McInerney

USS McInerney is a U.S. Navy ship mentioned in the video in relation to the Fire Scout's first official drug bust. The ship launched the Fire Scout drone, which detected and tracked a suspected drug smuggling vessel, providing crucial data for a successful interception and apprehension of the smugglers.

💡Operation Unified Protector

Operation Unified Protector was a NATO operation during the 2011 Libyan civil war, aimed at protecting civilians from the violence. The U.S. Navy, as part of this operation, deployed Fire Scouts to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions over Libya. The video mentions the loss of a Fire Scout during these operations, which was initially mistaken for an Apache gunship by Libyan state TV.

💡MQ-8C Fire Scout

The MQ-8C Fire Scout, also known as Fire-X, is the latest variant of the VTOL-UAV in the Fire Scout family. The video describes it as having significantly improved capabilities over its predecessors, with a higher payload capacity, speed, and endurance. The MQ-8C's introduction marks the next generation of rotary-wing UAVs for the U.S. Navy, set to take on an expanded range of duties.

Highlights

In 2011, the US Navy deployed an unmanned VTOL-UAV, the MQ-8 Fire Scout, for reconnaissance during the Libyan civil war.

The Fire Scout was engineered by Northrop Grumman and was mistaken for an Apache gunship, leading to its destruction.

Libyan State TV initially claimed the destruction of a rebel Apache, but analysis of debris revealed it was a Fire Scout drone helicopter.

The US Navy uses UAVs for maritime surveillance, target identification, mine detection, and other roles, modernizing naval capabilities.

The Navy sought a second-generation UAV with VTOL capabilities, a payload of 200 pounds, and a range of 125 miles.

Schweizer's design, based on the Model 330, was selected for the VTOL-UAV program, becoming the RQ-8A Fire Scout.

The RQ-8 Fire Scout's first flight was successful, leading to Northrop Grumman becoming the primary contractor.

Despite initial cancellation, Grumman and Schweizer continued development, attracting US Army interest and leading to the MQ-8B Fire Scout.

The MQ-8B Fire Scout featured a four-blade rotor system for enhanced lift and reduced noise.

The MQ-8B could carry payloads up to 700 pounds for short-range military missions.

The Fire Scout was equipped with various armaments and advanced sensor systems for enhanced capabilities.

The US Navy reintroduced interest in the Fire Scout, leading to its official adoption in 2009.

Fire Scouts were deployed to Afghanistan for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.

The Fire Scout set a record by providing 24 hours of support through 10 flights during anti-piracy operations off Africa.

The MQ-8B achieved over 5,000 flight hours in Afghanistan, participating in crucial surveillance missions.

The Fire Scout was involved in its first official drug bust, successfully intercepting drug smugglers.

During the Libyan civil war, Fire Scouts were deployed for intelligence operations, despite one being mistaken for an enemy gunship.

Grumman tested a new variant, the MQ-8C Fire Scout, based on the Bell 407 helicopter with autonomous capabilities.

The MQ-8C Fire Scout, or Fire-X, introduced in 2013, offered significantly improved range, endurance, and payload capacity.

As of January 2023, the US Navy has procured over 40 MQ-8C Fire-X helicopters, with more on order.

The original Fire Scout has been retired, with the Fire-X taking over duties due to its superior capabilities.

Transcripts

In 2011, as Libya's skies filled with the chaos  of civil war, a different kind of observer  

hovered above. It was not a manned aircraft, nor  a regular UAV, but an unmanned state-of-the-art  

Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Deployed by the US Navy, this autonomous  

helicopter engineered by Northrop  Grumman was on a reconnaissance mission,  

far from the front lines and unknown to those  below. That is, until chaos caught up with it. 

Mistaken for a lethal Apache gunship, a  rocket-propelled grenade struck down the  

Fire Scout, its remnants landing  85 miles east of Tripoli. Libyan  

State TV immediately broadcast images of the  wreckage, claiming a rebel Apache was destroyed. 

However, analysis of the debris soon told  a different story. The distinct markings  

and unique shape revealed its true identity:  an MQ-8 Fire Scout drone helicopter. Rumors  

swiftly spread about its mission, potential  armament, and, more importantly, the power it  

would wield from Africa to the far reaches of  Afghanistan as the US’s new rotary wing UAV.

The U.S. Navy utilizes UAVs for various roles,  marking a significant step in modernizing  

naval capabilities with autonomous systems.  These UAVs support maritime surveillance,  

target identification, mine detection,  targeted strikes, electronic warfare,  

and cargo transport. In the mid-2000s, the Navy  started replacing the aging AAI RQ-2 Pioneers,  

first introduced in the 1980s and developed  jointly with Israel from the Mastiff UAV design. 

Originally deployed for real-time  reconnaissance to assist naval gunfire,  

the Pioneer's role expanded to broader  surveillance tasks. Despite its success  

and critical role during the Persian Gulf War,  the rapidly aging Pioneer led the Navy to seek  

a more advanced second-generation UAV to  enhance future operational capabilities.

The US Navy called for an aircraft  system that could perform vertical  

takeoff and landing, or VTOL, with a  payload capacity of around 200 pounds. 

For adequate naval operations, a minimum  range of 125 miles was required alongside  

a service ceiling close to 20,000 feet and an  endurance on station of three to four hours. 

Coupled with its VTOL capability, the new  UAV had to be able to land on a Navy ship  

under winds of 29 miles per hour. The  vehicle was designated as a VTOL-UAV,  

and several companies immediately  submitted their proposals,  

including the likes of iconic aircraft companies  like Sikorsky, Bell, and Schweizer Aircraft. 

Ultimately, it was Schweizer's design that  captivated the American Navy. Their concept  

was based on the company's Model 330, a  three-passenger commercial light utility  

helicopter with a length of 31 feet, a height of  11 feet, and an overall weight of 2,400 pounds. 

It was dubbed the RQ-8A Fire Scout, and it would  sport a modified fuselage to house the UAV sensors  

and electronics the Navy required, as well as a  new fuel engine to fulfill the range and loitering  

points highlighted for operations at sea. The first flight of the RQ-8 Fire Scout  

sporting a Rolls-Royce 250-C20 turbine engine  employing JP-8 jet fuel took place months later  

with great success, leading Northrop Grumman to  become the primary contractor for the vehicle,  

supplying data link functions based on  the RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV to control it. 

The control system was planned to have a range of  up to 172 miles over a line of sight and could be  

installed on a ship or carried on a Humvee  light vehicle for use by the US Marines. 

Other features that would enhance the Fire  Scout's performance included a sensor ball  

turret equipped with infrared and electro-optic  cameras, as well as a laser range finder. 

Despite the potential of the VTOL-UAV, the  United States Navy concluded that the Fire  

Scout did not live up to its expectations and  canceled the funding for the project in 2001.

In whatever case, Grumman and Schweizer  continued the development of the Fire Scout  

as a private venture between both companies,  attracting the attention of the US Army. 

A contract for the development of seven upgraded  RQ-8B was awarded to test the vehicles for use  

with ground troops. When the first prototype  debuted, it was redesignated MQ-8B Fire Scout. 

The MQ-8B was distinguished by its four-blade  main rotor system, a departure from the  

RQ-8A's larger three-blade configuration,  designed to enhance lift capabilities and  

performance while minimizing noise. This four-blade design increased  

the gross takeoff weight to 3,150 pounds,  accommodating payloads of up to 700 pounds  

for military missions over short ranges. With dimensions of 23 feet in length,  

6 feet in width, and 9 feet in height, the  MQ-8B combined a compact design with a large  

payload capacity. For use with the Army, the stub  wings of the Fire Scout served a dual purpose. 

First, it provided the helicopter with  better aerodynamic characteristics and  

armament allocation, which included Viper  Strike laser-guided bombs, laser-guided  

70-millimeter folding-fin rockets, Hellfire  missiles, and pods equipped with the APKWS or  

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, which  was a conversion of Hydra 70 unguided rockets  

with a laser guidance kit that essentially  turned them into precision-guided munitions. 

Besides the standard sensor configuration,  the Army requested additional configurations,  

leading Grumman to come up with other packages,  some of which included a multispectral sensor,  

a Signals Intelligence or SIGINT  module, a Target Acquisition  

Minefield Detection System or ASTAMIDS,  and the Tactical Common Data Link or TCDL. 

Testing of the new MQ-8B Fire Scout  began in 2006 at Grumman's Moss Point,  

Mississippi, production plant. Following  the first successful flight in December,  

the US Navy's interest in the platform rose again,  leading to the introduction of the Sea Scout. 

Ironically enough, shortly after the Navy's  adoption of the platform, the US Army dropped  

out of the program and decided to continue  employing its line of RQ-7 Shadow UAVs.

The US Navy officially adopted the Fire Scout in  

2009. The final design of the UAV  looked like a modern helicopter,  

except it was fully autonomous. The fuselage and  nose carried all the electronic optics suite,  

with several full-color cameras placed around the  aircraft to provide a perfect view from all sides. 

Sea Scouts were fitted with the  Navy's Baseline camera package,  

a Maritime Radar system, a Communications Relay  kit, and a mine detector system. The shielded  

compartment housed a UCARS antenna array and  the Tactical Common Data Link Antenna array. 

Flight control actuators and fuel stores  were allocated in the mast superstructure,  

while the aft of the fuselage housed a boom  assembly that ran a shaft powering the tail rotor. 

The tail featured a vertical fin extending both  above and below the end of the boom, with two  

horizontal tailplanes attached to the top of the  fin. The Rolls-Royce 250-C20 engine pushing 420  

horsepower gave the helicopter its maximum speed  of 132 miles per hour, a service ceiling of 20,000  

feet, and an operational range of 930 miles. Like other UAVs, the Fire Scout could be operated  

autonomously through programming.  This meant it could take off, fly,  

and land automatically. Furthermore, the Fire  Scout's mission parameters could be updated  

on the go without the need for it to land. In May 2011, the Navy deployed three MQ-8s to  

northern Afghanistan to conduct intelligence,  surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. 

The next deployment of the Fire Scouts came  in 2012 aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class  

frigate USS Klakring. The helicopters served  the US Africa Command, conducting anti-piracy  

operations off the coasts of Africa. The unit of Fire Scouts maintained 12-hour  

days on station, with one of the drones  setting a record after providing 24 hours  

of support through the course of 10 flights. The MQ-8B helicopters achieved a significant  

milestone in August 2013, surpassing 5,000 flight  hours in Afghanistan. Over 28 months, the Fire  

Scouts participated in crucial surveillance  missions for American and allied forces,  

accumulating over 5,000 hours of flight time. During six at-sea deployments, the Fire Scouts  

surpassed 10,000 flight hours in total  while supporting naval and ground forces.

In April 2010, the Fire Scout made its  first official drug bust. It was dark,  

and no stars were on the horizon when USS  McInerney launched its newest asset against  

smuggling. The Fire Scout took to the skies  for what was one of many routine test flights. 

But peace soon shifted to action. Within  minutes, an operator detected a small,  

fast-moving boat on the radar, a  possible suspect of drug smuggling. 

What began as a simple data-gathering exercise  became the Fire Scout's first real test in drug  

interdiction. The drone chopper trailed  the suspect boat across the vast ocean. 

For over three hours, the Fire Scout shadowed  the unconfirmed vessel until it rendezvoused  

with a larger fishing boat suspected of  being part of the smuggling operation. 

Back on USS McInerney, the crew prepared for  detention and combat. The ship assumed a strategic  

position while other personnel prepped smaller  boats for interception. Coast Guardsmen geared  

up while the drone gave them visual data  about the unidentified personnel on board. 

The footage from the drone allowed the boarding  team to carry out the mission successfully,  

submitting the drug traffickers  swiftly and without issues. 

Regarding the triumph, Paul Young,  commanding officer of the McInerney,  

expressed in an interview: (QUOTE) "We'd  interdicted numerous trafficking efforts  

already during the deployment, so these parallel  efforts flowed smoothly, but there was a little  

extra anticipation associated with this operation,  knowing Fire Scout was on task as well."

In early 2011, the US Air Force deployed  Predator and Global Hawk drones over  

Libya since the ruthless civil war between  rebels and pro-government forces broke out. 

As part of Operation Unified Protector, the US  Navy did the same, deploying several Fire Scouts  

operated by USS Halyburton. Although it was not  clear how many Fire Scouts were operating off  

the coasts of Africa, the chopper drones were  deployed to perform intelligence, surveillance,  

and reconnaissance operations over  Libya to monitor pro-Gaddafi forces. 

On June 21, 2011, the Navy announced it had  lost contact with the rotorcraft while it was  

conducting these operations over the clear skies  of Libya. During the course of the day, Libyan  

state TV announced to the nation that government  forces had taken down an Apache gunship. 

Although the local press was fooled, military  and intelligence agencies worldwide knew it was  

not the case. The debris from the crash site  revealed the destroyed rotorcraft was indeed  

a US Navy Fire Scout. It was never revealed if the  

US Navy continued deploying more Fire Scouts  for the remainder of the civil war in Libya.

While the Fire Scout achieved its milestones  overseas, Grumman announced it would begin  

testing a four-bladed, single-engine,  Bell 407 helicopter modified with the  

autonomous capabilities of the smaller MQ-8B. The Bell Model 407 is a civil utility helicopter  

based on the Bell Model 206. It features  a composite hub originally developed for  

the United States Army's OH-58D Kiowa Warrior  helicopter employed during the Vietnam War. 

Also dubbed the Fire-X, this second variant was  formally introduced as the MQ-8C Fire Scout,  

and it flew for the first time in 2013. This  variant had a payload capacity of 2,950 pounds,  

a length of 34 feet, and a height of 10 feet. The Fire-X was powered by a single Rolls-Royce  

250-C47B engine, providing 813 horsepower and  enabling the helicopter to reach a maximum  

speed of 160 miles per hour, an endurance of  15 hours, and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet. 

Following the first flight in 2013, the US  Navy awarded Grumman a 262 million contract  

to produce the aircraft before finally  introducing it to service in June 2019. 

As of January 2023, the United States  Navy has procured over 40 Fire-Xs,  

with more in the way. While this second  variant of the Fire Scout has succeeded  

as the Navy's next-generation helicopter, the  original Scout has been retired from service. 

The reason behind this is simple: The  Fire-X significantly doubled the range  

and endurance of the previous Fire Scout  while tripling the payload capacity. 

As time progresses, the duties of the  Fire-X will increase with the US Navy,  

bolstering the drone with lethal  ordnance and more sophisticated sensors.