Weaponization Challenges for the MQ-8B VTUAV (Fire Scout) System

Under current contingency operations, there exists an urgent need to rapidly prosecute targets that have been identified by fielded Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets. Too often, a high-value target is seen, but in the time that it takes for the armed asset to appear on station, the target has vanished. This has led to an effort to arm many ISR unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). As part of that ongoing effort, US Navy leadership has identified the need to weaponize the Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) MQ-8B Fire Scout aircraft. The MQ-8B Fire Scout is currently deployed in theaters providing the US forces reconnaissance and surveillance; target acquisition and location, target tracking, and laser designation; target damage assessment; and communication relay capabilities. Since the Weaponization capability is urgently required, the Department of Defense (DOD) Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) process is being used to field the new system capability. This paper discusses the system engineering process used to employ this capability. The unique challenges associated with weaponizing an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) coupled with the added complexity of meeting ship-based compatibility requirements are addressed. Additional emphasis is placed on trade studies to determine which existing hardware could be used to meet those requirements within the time and budget allocated to the RDC.