Fire Scout makes first autonomous landing on LPD-13

This will probably become one of the “must haves” for any new gen ships, like helos before it.

060117-N-4935L-002 Atlantic Ocean (Jan. 17, 2006) – A RQ-8A Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) System prepares for the first autonomous landing aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD 13). With an on-station endurance of over four hours, the Fire Scout system is capable of continuous operations, providing coverage at 110 nautical miles from the launch site. Utilizing a baseline payload that includes electro-optical/infrared sensors and a laser rangefinder /designator, Fire Scout can find and identify tactical targets, track and designate targets, accurately provide targeting data to strike platforms, employ precision weapons, and perform battle damage assessment. U.S.

http://www.navy.mil/management/photodb/photos/060117-N-4935L-002.jpg