Aviation Week reports that the U.S. Navy “is buying two Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) with sensor and weapon payloads as the service is developing its plans for future uncrewed autonomous aircraft.” The Pentagon “announced the $15.5 million cost-plus fixed-fee contract on Dec. 30.”
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Tag: US Navy
US Navy Tests MQ-8C Fire Scout for Maritime Expeditionary Operation Support
ExecutiveGov reported that the US Navy “tested the possibility of deploying a Northrop Grumman-built autonomous helicopter from a ship to land to support maritime expeditionary operations at a recent joint service training.” A MQ-8C Fire Scout remote helicopter “took part in the demonstration of the Navy’s Expeditionary Advance Base Operations concept during the Resolute Hunter exercise.”
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US Navy Hands Over First Modified CN-235 MPA to RMAF
Bloomberg reported that the US Navy “has officially handed over the first of three modified CN-235-220M maritime patrol aircraft to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The project is part of U.S. Navy’s Building Partner Capacity program under the broader U.S. government’s Maritime Security Initiative.”
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USN Tests SMAMD System on MQ-8C
Seapower Magazine reported that the US Navy recently had a successful demonstration of an MQ-8C Fire Scout UAS carrying the “Single-system Multi-mission Airborne Mine Detection (SMAMD) System.” The tests included “drifting, tethered and moored mines throughout beach zone to deep waters,” both night and day, in various water depths, and during various weather conditions. The SMAMD System, developed by BAE Systems for the Office of Naval Research, can perform detections in a single pass, with “low false alarm rate,” and sends “real-time detection sent via data link” which enables rapid response.
Full Story (Seapower Magazine)
Northrop Grumman-Built Fire Scout Deployed Aboard USS Jackson
ExecutiveGov reports that the US Navy “has deployed a Northrop Grumman-built Fire Scout autonomous helicopter aboard an Independence-class littoral combat ship to support maritime intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting missions in the Indo-Pacific area.” The MQ-8C Fire Scout “on USS Jackson marks the unmanned aircraft system’s first operational deployment to the region.”
Full Story (ExecutiveGov)
First TH-73A Helicopter Lands at Florida Naval Air Station
ExecutiveGov reports that the US Navy received its first TH-73A Thrasher training helicopter Friday. The TH-73A Thrasher “is developed to deliver better power, speed, payload and endurance than the Sea Ranger, with the enhancements being intended to address capability and capacity challenges and improve preparations for naval pilots.” Rear Admiral Robert Westendorff said, “Using current cockpit technologies and a new training curriculum, AHTS will improve pilot training and skills and ensure rotary wing and tilt-rotor aviators are produced more efficiently at a higher quality and are ready to meet the fleet’s challenges.”
Full Story (ExecutiveGov)
Video
Martin UAV’s V-BAT Chosen for Navy UAS Prototype, Development Effort
Martin UAV said in a press release that the US Navy has selected the company’s V-BAT “for a VTOL UAS prototyping and development effort in order to fulfill new technological requirements driven by the changing nature of threats in austere operating environments.” Martin UAV was selected after a technology demonstration at Yuma Proving Grounds, where the company competed against L3Harris Technology. The competition included “technology questionnaires, performance summaries, and in-depth supporting artifacts in accordance with established criteria, sought maximum portability, self-sufficiency and modularity in UAS hardware and payload capabilities without the need for ancillary support equipment.” The V-BAT “was selected to meet these requirements as a result of its minimal logistic support requirements and maximum versatility. The system offers vertical takeoff with a single-engine ducted fan, automatic transition to straight and level flight, easily commanded hovers and stares, interchangeable payloads, and an open architecture.”
Full Story (Newswire)