MQ-8 Fire Scout Unmanned Aircraft System
Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP)
Program facts
- Program number
- 253
- Short name
- MQ-8 Fire Scout
- Acquisition pathway
- Major Capability Acquisition (MCA)
- Acquisition category
- ACAT IC
- Acquisition status
- Full operational capability or full deployment (FOC/FD)
- Lead component
-
Department of the Navy
Department of Defense
- Contract awards
- 78
- Contract obligations
- $365,614,355 Since fiscal year 2015
Program details come from the Department of Defense's acquisition program list. Contract figures come from SAM.gov (formerly FPDS).
Contract obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Obligated |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | -$13,301,622 |
| FY2024 | $3,357,274 |
| FY2023 | $53,026,870 |
| FY2022 | $28,942,583 |
| FY2021 | $41,493,273 |
| FY2020 | $78,904,569 |
| FY2019 | $38,421,227 |
| FY2018 | $69,971,034 |
| FY2017 | $53,563,950 |
| FY2016 | $10,485,750 |
Top contractors by obligations
| Rank | Contractor | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation | $231,848,914 | |
| 2 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation | $82,539,157 | |
| 3 | Telephonics Corporation | $14,407,146 | |
| 4 | Boeing Distribution, Inc. | $9,599,406 | |
| 5 | Peraton Labs Inc. | $9,201,033 | |
| 6 | Bell Textron Inc. | $5,315,060 | |
| 7 | L3 Technologies, Inc. | $4,386,052 | |
| 8 | Leonardo UK LTD | $4,322,366 | |
| 9 | Keystone Turbine Services, LLC | $646,265 | |
| 10 | Alutiiq Information Management, LLC | $577,006 |
10 of 30 contractors listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Contract awards
Show 40 more
Latest 50 of 78 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
About this program
The MQ-8 Fire Scout Unmanned Aircraft System is a Major Defense Acquisition Program managed by the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command under the Major Capability Acquisition pathway. The program encompasses the development, procurement, and sustainment of unmanned helicopter systems used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in support of naval operations. The program includes multiple variants, including the MQ-8B and MQ-8C, with ongoing efforts focused on capability upgrades, software sustainment, and platform integration.
Contract awards associated with the program typically range from small purchase orders of under $100,000 for specialized components to large definitive contracts exceeding $70 million for comprehensive engineering and sustainment services. Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation serves as the primary prime contractor, with Bell Textron Inc., Leonardo UK LTD, and Telephonics Corporation appearing frequently as either prime or subcontractors. Common subcontractors include GE Aviation, Cubic Defense Applications, and Sierra Nevada Corporation. The majority of contracts are awarded without set-aside designations by the Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Supply Systems Command. Primary places of performance include San Diego, California, and Fort Worth, Texas. Contract types vary between firm-fixed-price for production items and cost-plus-fixed-fee for engineering services, with performance periods typically ranging from several months to five years. Deliverables include radar systems, navigation components, software development, engineering services, and various support equipment.
Quick answers
What is MQ-8 Fire Scout?
MQ-8 Fire Scout Unmanned Aircraft System is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) led by the Department of the Navy. It follows the Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) pathway and is ACAT IC. Its acquisition status is full operational capability or full deployment (FOC/FD).
How much has MQ-8 Fire Scout obligated on contracts?
78 contract awards are coded to MQ-8 Fire Scout, and their actions have obligated $365,614,355 since fiscal year 2015.
Who are the top contractors on MQ-8 Fire Scout?
The contractors obligated the most on MQ-8 Fire Scout contracts are Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation ($314,388,071 across 2 registrations), Telephonics Corporation ($14,407,146) and Boeing Distribution, Inc. ($9,599,406).
How much did MQ-8 Fire Scout obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Contracts coded to MQ-8 Fire Scout obligated -$13,301,622 in fiscal year 2025.
What is the latest contract award for MQ-8 Fire Scout?
The latest contract award coded to MQ-8 Fire Scout is N0001924F0016, awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation on January 18, 2024.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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