Northrop Grumman performed an engine run of the first U.S. Army MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle at the company’s Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point, Miss. The engine run marks completion of final assembly of the initial manufacturing phase of the first Army Fire Scout. The rotary-wing aircraft awaits delivery of mission avionics and sensors. The MQ-8B Fire Scout has been flying under a Navy contract since December 2006, but this marked the first time aircraft operations were conducted at the Moss Point site. Engine runs will continue on subsequent Fire Scouts at the Moss Point site as they progress through the assembly process. Additional basic flight checks are also planned. For related news