MQ8B Fire Scout Unmanned Helicopter Shot Down Over Libya

A North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (N.A.T.O.) unmanned helicopter appears to have been shot down in Libya*.

Film shown by C.N.N. appears to show the remains of an MQ8B Fire Scout helicopter,a type used by the United States' Navy.

As far as this blog is aware this may be the first unmanned helicopter to be shot down in combat.

If the loss was due to enemy action it is possible that it was the result of the unmanned helicopter having less situational awareness than a manned aircraft and if that is the case there are serious implications for the unmanned helicopter program.




*Thanks to Solomon at SNAFU for highlighting that.

Bunga Mas Lima

We have mentioned the Royal  Malaysian Navy auxiliary cruiser Bunga Mas Lima previously in a Ship Spotting post.

She is proof that the Malaysians have the good sense to choose a large,long legged,helicopter capable vessel for use on the huge expanses of the Indian Ocean.

Those with less foresight and understanding continue to push for "small water" warships to be used in these "big water" areas.

Such an approach is logistically demanding and tactically limiting.

Big ships like the 10,000 tonne plus Bunga Mas Lima have the range and endurance for long range counter piracy escort in the vastness of the World's oceans without the need for an expensive "fleet train" to support them.

Bunga Mas Lima has been in the news recently.

Yesterday she stormed a hijacked vessel,freeing it's crew and capturing the pirates into the bargain.

The full story can be read here.

Well done the Royal Malaysian Navy.