An MQ-8C Fire Scout was spotted on a trailer on I-405 Northbound at Newport Beach, California

The MQ-8C Fire Scout is a Bell 407 helicopter modified with autonomous controls from the MQ-8B drone copter.

It weighs 2.7 tons, has a 1,000 lb payload, can fly for 24 hours and can carry AGM-176 Griffin missiles, APKWS II guided 70 mm rockets, and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

It first flew in October 2013 and the first two unmanned choppers currently involved in flight testing have already surpassed 100 flight hours.

The Navy plans to operate 28 MQ-8Cs for naval special operations forces. One of those (188688) was seen on a trailer moving northbound on Interstate 405 near Newport Beach, California.

More from The Aviationist

Military Aviation

U.S. Approves Foreign Military Sale for South Korean F-15K Upgrade

Drones

Battle Manager-Pilot Commands AI-controlled Aircraft In Real Time During Skunk Works Test

Military History

The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet: Hitler’s Hot Rod Rocket Plane

Russia

Russia Launches ‘New’ Ballistic Missile At Ukraine – Reports

Military Aviation

New Engine Covers Help the Air Force Protect B-52s from Ice, Saving Time and Millions

Image credit: “Spencer”

Related articles

• Video: Armed MQ-1 Predator drone quietly flying at low altitude over Elgin, Illinois
• World Exclusive: U.S. Navy MQ-8B Firescout drone copter returns to service after grounding. And conducts Dual Air Vehicle operations too.
• Improved Gray Eagle drone flies for +36 hours with SIGINT pod AND two Hellfire missiles
• Iranian combat planes tried to shoot down a U.S. Predator. A weird story.
• New MQ-9 Block 1-plus drone makes first flight. With brand new cool wigtip antennas for secure communications
• Legendary U.S. Army Special Operations Force gets MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones
• Italy’s Reaper drones to be “weaponized”