NORTHROP GRUMMAN'S MQ-8C Fire Scout autonomous helicopter has passed an initial fit check aboard a US Navy San Antonio-class landing platform dock (LPD).The evaluation was carried out aboard the USS Anchorage (LPD-23) while the vessel was in port at Naval Base San Diego, California, to demonstrate the type's suitability for integrating into US Marine Corps LPDs for amphibious warfare operations.The US Navy already operates MQ-8Cs from Littoral Combat Ships, frigates and destroyers.Initial operating capability from LPDs is scheduled for this summer, with the new variant replacing the earlier MQ-8B model "on several upcoming deployments".Designed to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the Bell 407-based MQ-8C has an AN/ZPY-8 radar.Compared with the previous MQ-8B, it offers greater payload capacity - 700lb compared with 600lb - and range of 150nm.
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