...It will be a significant milestone when it occurs, but it’s doubtful people on
the ground will notice. For all intent and purposes, it will just look like a
helicopter, any helicopter, flying overhead.
...But it will be no run-of-the-mill helicopter.
...These will be unmanned, high-tech Fire Scout MQ-8B helicopters that
represent the future of aviation, both military and civilian. Built at the
Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point, the first product flight test over
South Mississippi will be a significant event for Northrop Grumman.
...“Our first production check flights out of Trent Lott will be early next year,”
said Doug Fronius, Northrop Grumman’s Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout Program
Director. “It demonstrates the ever increasing maturity of military unmanned
aerial systems as we transition from experimental to a formal production line.”
...March now looks like the most likely date for that first production flight.
...But when it occurs is not nearly as important as that it will occur. The
transition to a formal production line is a very big deal for a field that in the
not too distant past seemed like the stuff of science fiction. Unmanned
systems are playing an increasing role in the military, and the role promises to
get even larger as the aircraft become more capable.
The plant
...When plans for the Moss Point plant were first announced, it was intended
to be used to produce only Fire Scouts. But even before groundbreaking, the
mission – and the facility itself – was expanded to include the production of
center fuselages for Global Hawks. Orders for both aircraft are on the
upswing.
...During an August luncheon for area officials, Northrop Grumman said that
the original plan to provide about 40 Global Hawks for the Navy’s Broad Area
Maritime Surveillance Program was increased to 68, and the Air Force had
increased its number of Global Hawks from 54 to 78.
...And Fire Scouts? The Navy plans a total of 138 of the vertical takeoff and
landing aircraft, while the Army is expected to get 480. That’s a lot of work
for the Moss Point facility, which in August stood at 70 workers.
...Company officials point out that the facility does have room to grow. In
addition to the ability to add multiple shifts, Northrop also has an option on an
additional 30 acres at the airpark.
The flights
...Northrop Grumman officials make it a point that the flights in March are not
“flight tests,” but rather “function check flights” and “production check
flights.” And that’s a significant difference.
...In production check flights the aircraft configuration has already been
tested, and nothing is experimental. It’s more like taking the product for a test
drive, Northrop Grumman officials point out.
...“The flying in Mississippi, we will never be testing a new design feature for
the first time, just confirming that everything works,” said Fronius. “This is
showing the program is achieving a higher level of maturity.”
...The entire process will begin slowly and ramp up over time.
...“It will start out infrequently,” Fronius said about the flights. “We are at a
low production rate today, three (Fire Scouts) per year. We anticipate each
will require two flights to complete production checkout.”
...There is a chance for more flights with each aircraft.
...“I would anticipate more flights next year,” said Fronius because of the
increase in the number of aircraft leaving the facility. When the full production
rate is reached “some years from now, then that could be up to maybe one or
two per week.”
...Fronius said the initial flight of the Fire Scout will be relatively simple and
involve a take off and simple flight to check the basic aircraft systems. Then
there’s a post-flight inspection to ensure everything is working right and
airworthy.
...In the second flight, the Fire Scout will go out over the water so the team
can evaluate all the mission equipment – and that will vary depending upon
the type of Fire Scout that is produced. That could be followed by a third
flight.
...On the ground, you would have to be fairly close to realize it’s a Fire Scout
and not a manned helicopter. It’s a fairly quiet aircraft that will climb out like
any other aircraft, reach altitude and be unnoticed from the ground.
...Under the current authorization, there will also be a manned chase plane if
the Fire Scout leaves the airport traffic area. The Fire Scouts will fly at a
relatively low air speed and will be involved in a very controlled series of
events. - David Tortorano, Tcp
October 2008
the ground will notice. For all intent and purposes, it will just look like a
helicopter, any helicopter, flying overhead.
...But it will be no run-of-the-mill helicopter.
...These will be unmanned, high-tech Fire Scout MQ-8B helicopters that
represent the future of aviation, both military and civilian. Built at the
Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point, the first product flight test over
South Mississippi will be a significant event for Northrop Grumman.
...“Our first production check flights out of Trent Lott will be early next year,”
said Doug Fronius, Northrop Grumman’s Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout Program
Director. “It demonstrates the ever increasing maturity of military unmanned
aerial systems as we transition from experimental to a formal production line.”
...March now looks like the most likely date for that first production flight.
...But when it occurs is not nearly as important as that it will occur. The
transition to a formal production line is a very big deal for a field that in the
not too distant past seemed like the stuff of science fiction. Unmanned
systems are playing an increasing role in the military, and the role promises to
get even larger as the aircraft become more capable.
The plant
...When plans for the Moss Point plant were first announced, it was intended
to be used to produce only Fire Scouts. But even before groundbreaking, the
mission – and the facility itself – was expanded to include the production of
center fuselages for Global Hawks. Orders for both aircraft are on the
upswing.
...During an August luncheon for area officials, Northrop Grumman said that
the original plan to provide about 40 Global Hawks for the Navy’s Broad Area
Maritime Surveillance Program was increased to 68, and the Air Force had
increased its number of Global Hawks from 54 to 78.
...And Fire Scouts? The Navy plans a total of 138 of the vertical takeoff and
landing aircraft, while the Army is expected to get 480. That’s a lot of work
for the Moss Point facility, which in August stood at 70 workers.
...Company officials point out that the facility does have room to grow. In
addition to the ability to add multiple shifts, Northrop also has an option on an
additional 30 acres at the airpark.
The flights
...Northrop Grumman officials make it a point that the flights in March are not
“flight tests,” but rather “function check flights” and “production check
flights.” And that’s a significant difference.
...In production check flights the aircraft configuration has already been
tested, and nothing is experimental. It’s more like taking the product for a test
drive, Northrop Grumman officials point out.
...“The flying in Mississippi, we will never be testing a new design feature for
the first time, just confirming that everything works,” said Fronius. “This is
showing the program is achieving a higher level of maturity.”
...The entire process will begin slowly and ramp up over time.
...“It will start out infrequently,” Fronius said about the flights. “We are at a
low production rate today, three (Fire Scouts) per year. We anticipate each
will require two flights to complete production checkout.”
...There is a chance for more flights with each aircraft.
...“I would anticipate more flights next year,” said Fronius because of the
increase in the number of aircraft leaving the facility. When the full production
rate is reached “some years from now, then that could be up to maybe one or
two per week.”
...Fronius said the initial flight of the Fire Scout will be relatively simple and
involve a take off and simple flight to check the basic aircraft systems. Then
there’s a post-flight inspection to ensure everything is working right and
airworthy.
...In the second flight, the Fire Scout will go out over the water so the team
can evaluate all the mission equipment – and that will vary depending upon
the type of Fire Scout that is produced. That could be followed by a third
flight.
...On the ground, you would have to be fairly close to realize it’s a Fire Scout
and not a manned helicopter. It’s a fairly quiet aircraft that will climb out like
any other aircraft, reach altitude and be unnoticed from the ground.
...Under the current authorization, there will also be a manned chase plane if
the Fire Scout leaves the airport traffic area. The Fire Scouts will fly at a
relatively low air speed and will be involved in a very controlled series of
events. - David Tortorano, Tcp
October 2008
Flights mark milestone
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