Navy Helo Drone on Anti-Piracy Mission

The US Navy's MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned autonomous helicopter is headed to Africa as part of an anti-piracy mission. Four of the helicopter drones are aboard the guided missile frigate USS Klakring. They will be used along with special operations forces for surveillance during search and seizure missions against pirate ships. The Fire Scout is the US Navy's only drone that can be used on both land and at sea. It first deployed aboard the guided-missile frigate USS McInerney in 2009 and has since been used in Afghanistan and Libya and against drug traffickers in South America. By 2014, the Navy plans to arm the helicopter drone with a laser- guided rocket called the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System.