SAN DIEGO, Nov. 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) completed the first three MQ-8B Fire Scout production deliveries to the U.S. Navy, which completes the first year of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle (VTUAV) program.

Two of the three Fire Scouts were deployed aboard the USS McInerney for use on a scheduled operational deployment to complete a Fire Scout Military Utility Assessment (MUA). Prior to the current deployment, Fire Scouts have been aboard the USS McInerney four times since December 2008, completing 110 ship takeoffs and landings and 45 landings with the harpoon grid, accumulating over 47 hours of flight time.

“Fire Scout’s performance aboard the USS McInerney has continued to provide us with invaluable operational insight and enhance our ability to support the U.S. Navy,” said George Vardoulakis, vice president of Tactical Unmanned Systems for Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector. “And we are excited about the opportunity to work alongside the sailors of the USS McInerney for Fire Scout’s first operational deployment.”

Soure: Northrop Grumman