Individual project

In today’s military arsenal the U.S. has a vast majority of aerial dominance over the sky’s yet alone on land as well. There are several UAV’s models or designs that serve a purpose within the U.S. armed forces. There is one UAV that stands out from the rest of them, the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B fire scout. This is an unmanned autonomous helicopter that can provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for, air and sea forces around the globe (Northrop Grumman 2020).

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8B fire scout has also deployed to Afghanistan to support counter-improvised explosive device (IED) operations for troops that are on the front lines. Also, the fire scout has advanced avionics components RF camera package, a mine detector system, UHF/VHF communication relay kit and a Maritime Radar system. The MQ-8B can haul upwards of 600lbs of equipment or weaponry depending on its mission.

With all these advanced components on-board the MQ-8B and also being such a versatile UAV, why should the MQ-8B use only for tactical purposes? Instead, this UAV can have a mutually beneficial role not just being a front line air support but also being humanitarian UAV aid during a natural disaster, re-supplying medical supplies where rural places are hard to reach.