Telephonics multi-mode radar begins flight tests on Northrop Grumman's MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Unmanned Air System demonstrator

Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF); announced today that its Radar Systems Division demonstrated radar capability on Northrop Grumman's company-owned MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Unmanned Air System (VUAS) (designated as "P6"), with it's RDR-1700B radar. The flight demonstrated multi-mode maritime radar operation for the first time aboard Fire Scout. The demonstration was part an on-going effort to expand upon the capabilities of the MQ-8B Fire Scout, and specifically enhances the VUAS broad-area maritime search and surveillance capabilities. The flight took place on September 19 at the Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. test center.

"We believe the RDR-1700B MMR will prove an invaluable addition to the Fire Scout mission, enabling maritime search, surveillance, SAR/ISAR imaging and integrated automatic identification system (AIS) features," said Joseph J. Battaglia, Telephonics President. "Telephonics continues to see strong interest in the RDR-1700B for unmanned and piloted applications. This radar provides operators with a unique capability in the unmanned market-space. Never before has this level of multi-mode capability been available in this weight-class." A variant of the RDR-1700B is operational with the Japanese Coast Guard and had been selected by the USCG for their VUAV program.