Army Picks Firescout

[Eric Moore]

The Army looks set to procure the Firescout UAV. See:

http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/10203top.xml

Why did the Army pick this one over other VTOL UAV's, such as Eagle Eye?

[Marc Reeve]

Eric Moore > wrote:

> The Army looks set to procure the Firescout UAV. See:
>
>
http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/10203to
p.xml
>
> Why did the Army pick this one over other VTOL UAV's, such as Eagle
> Eye?

Maybe the bad rep of the Osprey is rubbing off on its little brother?

-Marc
--
Marc Reeve
actual email address after removal of 4s & spaces is
c4m4r4a4m4a4n a4t c4r4u4z4i4o d4o4t c4o4m

[Kevin Brooks]

(Marc Reeve) wrote in message >...
> Eric Moore > wrote:
>
> > The Army looks set to procure the Firescout UAV. See:
> >
> >
> http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/10203to
> p.xml
> >
> > Why did the Army pick this one over other VTOL UAV's, such as Eagle
> > Eye?
>
> Maybe the bad rep of the Osprey is rubbing off on its little brother?

More likely because Firescout can do the mission envisioned under FCS,
and is already a more mature system courtesy of the past USN effort.

Brooks

>
> -Marc

[Blair Maynard]

Can you imagine being medevac'd by one of those things? :)

Guess it beats bleeding to death.


"Eric Moore" > wrote in message
m...
> The Army looks set to procure the Firescout UAV. See:
>
>
http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/10203top.xm
l
>
> Why did the Army pick this one over other VTOL UAV's, such as Eagle
Eye?

[Thomas Schoene]

"Eric Moore" > wrote in message
m
> The Army looks set to procure the Firescout UAV. See:
>
>
http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/10203top.xm
l
>
> Why did the Army pick this one over other VTOL UAV's, such as
> Eagle Eye?

ONe thing that jumps out at me is the plan to use guided rockts as armament
for the vehicle. Eagle Eye is at a disadvantage there because the rockets
could probably not be fired in level flight without passing through the
rotor disk. (There's not a lot of unobstructed frontal area in Eagle Eye
with the rotors forward.)

--�
Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail
"If brave men and women never died, there would be nothing
special about bravery." -- Andy Rooney (attributed)

[Eric Moore]

"Thomas Schoene" > wrote in message >...
> "Eric Moore" > wrote in message
> m
> > The Army looks set to procure the Firescout UAV. See:
> >
> >
> http://aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_awst_story.jsp?id=news/10203top.xm
> l
> >
> > Why did the Army pick this one over other VTOL UAV's, such as
> > Eagle Eye?
>
> ONe thing that jumps out at me is the plan to use guided rockts as armament
> for the vehicle. Eagle Eye is at a disadvantage there because the rockets
> could probably not be fired in level flight without passing through the
> rotor disk. (There's not a lot of unobstructed frontal area in Eagle Eye
> with the rotors forward.)
>
> --�
> Tom Schoene Replace "invalid" with "net" to e-mail
> "If brave men and women never died, there would be nothing
> special about bravery." -- Andy Rooney (attributed)


There was also mention of using a "low boost" version of Hellfire on
the UAV. If the Firescout's sensitive to backblast, maybe the Army should
fit it with Viper Strike instead:

http://www.aerotechnews.com/StoryArchive/2003/090503/Business.htm#Business007

Though since Viper strike is a glide weapon, it might require Firescout
to operate at a higher altitude than the Army would like.

[Eric Moore]

Another question:

Will the selection of Firescout be the final nail in Commanche's coffin?
Or is Commanche so far along now that it's going to be fielded no matter how
many advancements are made in UAV technology?

[Alan Minyard]

On 25 Oct 2003 19:55:15 -0700, (Eric Moore) wrote:

>Another question:
>
> Will the selection of Firescout be the final nail in Commanche's coffin?
>Or is Commanche so far along now that it's going to be fielded no matter how
>many advancements are made in UAV technology?

Different systems for different missions. Neither one will replace the other.
There are times when "wetware" is required.

Al Minyard