Navy, CG May Test UAV From Cutter

[unhappycamper]

Navy, CG May Test UAV From Cutter
Aviation Week's DTI | John M. Doyle | February 15, 2008

The Navy is in discussions with the Coast Guard about testing the Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system on a cutter.

The Coast Guard, which canceled its vertical UAV program last year, has been looking for a replacement system to extend the patrol reach of its new class of cutters. And Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen says all possible aircraft are under consideration.

"I've actually had some informal discussions with Adm. Roughead. They're looking at Fire Scout for the LCS and we may have a platform available where he could test that," Allen told the DAILY Feb. 14 following his annual State of the Coast Guard address in Washington.

The Navy is exploring options for using other host ships to test Fire Scout because of continued delays in the LCS production program. "I don't have any objections to doing that. We just have to work on it," Allen added, noting that the Fire Scout payload does not include a surface search radar that the Coast Guard wants.


Article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,162237,00.html



uhc comment: The reason for the LCS delay is that the ships are 300% over budget.