Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Fire Scout Crashes After Hitting USS Charleston

    SAN DIEGO, UNITED STATES

    04.26.2021

    Courtesy Story

    Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet           

    An unmanned helicopter crashed into the side of USS Charleston (LCS 18) after taking off from the ship around 3:40 p.m., April 26.

    No one was injured, and the Littoral Combat Ship continued to safely operate after the incident involving the MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV).

    The Fire Scout – 31.7 feet long and nearly 10 feet tall –fell into the sea and was not recovered. The mishap damaged a safety net on the ship and struck the hull. Damage to the ship is being assessed, but appears limited to an area above the waterline. Charleston continues operations in the Western Pacific.

    The cause of the mishap is under investigation.

    The Fire Scout was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 based out of Naval Air Station North Island and was assigned to Charleston as part of its current mission.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.26.2021
    Date Posted: 04.27.2021 18:42
    Story ID: 394932
    Location: SAN DIEGO, US

    Web Views: 279
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN