The US Navy will soon equip the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system manufactured by Northrop Grumman with electronic warfare (EN) capability via an external pod.

IHS Jane’s reported that Northrop Grumman will develop and integrate the new Multi Capability Pod (MCAP) onto the MQ-8C as part of a $10.8 million contract. The MCAP will provide the MQ-8C with “multiple electronic warfare sensors for employment in the littorals”, a DoD listing stated.

The US Navy will get 28 MQ-8Cs in addition to the 168 MQ-8Bs it will use in a variety of applications, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and other unmanned strike missions.

With a range of roughly 150 nautical miles and a payload capacity of over 317 kg (698 lbs), the MQ-8C Fire Scout is more powerful than the MQ-8B, IHS Jane’s said.

Northrop Grumman is expected to have work completed on the new contract by June 2015.

Read more: http://www.janes.com/article/37321/us-navy-to-equip-mq-8c-uav-for-electronic-warfare