MQ-8 UAV

MQ-8 UAV under the Navy's Aircraft Procurement budget activity, aims to procure and sustain the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISR-T) operations. The program's specific objectives include the procurement of a total of 68 air vehicles (59 procurement and 9 RDTEN), including the Mission Control System (MCS), Unmanned Common Aircraft Recovery System (UCARS), and Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) for command & control and payload data transmission. Additionally, the program seeks to support operations onboard Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), other suitably-equipped air capable ships, and land-based MQ-8 requirements. The budget funding for FY 2024 is intended to provide system wholeness for ancillary equipment, integration and installation, as well as additional air vehicles removed from long-term preservation for future deployments aboard additional LCS.

The MQ-8 UAV program's goals are centered around providing a persistent airborne ISR-T asset to support naval operations. This includes the procurement of specific quantities of air vehicles and associated equipment based on operational deployment plans and host ship requirements. The program also aims to support missions on LCS and/or suitably-equipped air capable ships, as well as land-based MQ-8 requirements for Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Surface Warfare, and Mine Countermeasures mission sets. Furthermore, the budget funding increase for FY 2024 is targeted at supporting six additional MQ-8C Air Vehicles removed from long-term preservation for future deployments aboard an additional five LCS. Overall, the program seeks to enhance naval capabilities by providing a versatile UAS platform for intelligence gathering and targeting in various operational scenarios.