Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Cost Overrun Brings Scrutiny to MQ-8 Fire Scout
Unit cost increases triggered “critical” breaches of the Nunn-McCurdy amendment, requiring that Congress be notified.
An MQ-8C Fire Scout stands by at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, Calif. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
An MQ-8C Fire Scout stands by at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, Calif. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

The U.S. Navy recently ordered five more MQ-8C Fire Scouts, bringing to 19 the number of Bell 407-based unmanned helicopters it plans to buy from Northrop Grumman. But the Fire Scout program faces scrutiny by Congress for cost overruns.