Contributor - UK

David Donald

The first Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout uncrewed platform—based on the Bell 407 helicopter and outfitted with Leonardo’s Osprey 30 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar—deployed operationally in December. The sensor, designated AN/ZPY-8 in U.S. service, first went to sea with the MQ-8Cs of HSC-22’s Detachment 5 aboard USS Milwaukee.

 


Leonardo designed the Osprey as a multi-array radar that offers multi-domain surveillance capability, with applications for crewed or uncrewed, fixed- and rotary-wing platforms. The radar systems can be configured with two to four antenna arrays, depending on the desired azimuth coverage requirements.

 


Currently, the Osprey flies with 12 international operators&nbsp;across a range of missions, from defense applications to security, civil protection, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue. The company is displaying the radar at the Singapore show (Stand B-H39), and reports that a number of countries in the Indo-Pacific region are evaluating it. The recent U.S. Navy deployment of the sensor has underlined its value to rotary-wing platforms.

 


For the time being, the Osprey family consists of&nbsp;the Osprey 30&nbsp;and the more powerful Osprey 50 with larger aperture arrays. Applications for the larger system include the four Gulfstream G550 multi-sensor ISR platforms—locally designated MC-55A Peregrine—being procured by Australia.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Osprey Radar Goes to Sea Aboard the Fire Scout

The versatile radar draws on Leonardo’s experience with developing AESA radars, such as the Typhoon fighter’s ECRS and maritime-optimised Seaspray range.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

More In Rotorcraft

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider Points to a New Level of Performance for Future Helicopters

Originally developed for the U.S. military, X2 technology is in search of a new customer.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN