Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
Northrop Grumman RQ-8A Fire Scout
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
2000–2022
Quantity
30
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · POST-COLD WAR
26
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
65
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the utility / transport helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Flight2000
- Service Entry Year2009
- Crew0
- Passengers0
- Primary Rolereconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support
- In ServiceNo
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
- Engine Typeturboshaft
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power (each)313 kW
- Transmission Rating313 kW
- Rotor Configurationsingle main rotor
- Main Rotor Diameter8.38 m
- Main Rotor Blades3
- Anti-Torque Typetail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed217 km/h
- Cruise Speed195 km/h
- Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)232 km/h
- Service Ceiling6,100 m
- Hover Ceiling (IGE)4,572 m
- Hover Ceiling (OGE)3,048 m
- Range200 km
- Ferry Range550 km
- Rate of Climb8.5 m/s
- Endurance180
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Fuselage Length7.3 m
- Height2.96 m
- Rotor Disc Area55.1
- Empty Weight626 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight1,433 kg
- Useful Load807 kg
- Cabin Volume0
◆Armament & Mission3MOD.3
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload90 kg
- Gunnone
▤Avionics4MOD.4
⬢Survivability5MOD.5
▲Production2MOD.2
- Total Built30
- Variants1
◎Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year2022
- Production Start2000
- Production End2022
- Operational Statusretired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 2000Production started
- 2022Production ended
26
years in service
22
years in production
30
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS RANKING Utility / Transport Helicopters · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
162UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS26POST-COLD WAR · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS1912UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS183PERFORMANCE/PRICE · UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theUtility / Transport Helicopterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Autopilot/AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) is an avionics suite that automatically controls a helicopter’s attitude, navigation and flight path, providing stability augmentation and reducing pilot workload.
Combined forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and electro-optical (EO) sensor turret for target acquisition and tracking, typically mounted on aircraft or ground vehicles.
A sight mounted on a helicopter's mast for targeting.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources