Data Quality84%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout
Country
Prime contractor
Production
2000–2022
Quantity
30
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
20
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
75
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- UAV Classhelicopter
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight2000
- Service Entry Year2009
- Primary Rolereconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support, precision targeting support
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe6MOD.6
- Length7.3 m
- Wingspan8.382 m
- Height2.9 m
- Empty Weight940.3 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight1,430 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant5MOD.5
- Engine TypeRolls-Royce 250
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power313 kW
- Electric PropulsionNo
- Propeller / Configurationrotorcraft
◇Performance7MOD.7
- Top Speed212.962 km/h
- Cruise Speed203.702 km/h
- Service Ceiling6,096 m
- Range200 km
- Endurance8
- Combat / Operating Radius200 km
- Maximum Payload318 kg
◆Payload & Sensors6MOD.6
- EO/IR SensorYes
- SAR / GMTI RadarNo
- SIGINT PayloadNo
- Laser DesignatorYes
- Sensor Payload Weight90 kg
- Comms RelayYes
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control Typeautonomous with remote supervision
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkYes
- Autonomous CapableYes
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingYes
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built30
- Operators1
- Variants434
◎Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2022
- Production Start2000
- Production End2022
- Operational StatusRetired (RQ-8A, MQ-8B)
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 2000Production started
- 2022Production ended
26
years in service
22
years in production
30
units produced
3
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
74RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES20POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES1015UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS170PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
Capable of performing tasks or missions without direct human control, using onboard systems to make decisions and execute actions.
A capability enabling drones to relay communication signals between units, extending operational range and maintaining network connectivity in combat environments.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
A device that emits a laser beam to mark targets for precision-guided munitions, enabling accurate strikes by designating coordinates for laser-homing weapons.
A communication link between a drone and its control station via satellite relay, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources