Marines Successfully Trial MQ-8C Unmanned Helicopter Refuel

Marines have used the Marine Corps CH-53E to refuel an unmanned MQ-8C helicopter with a maximum payload of over 700 pounds of fuel and supports an estimated range of 150 nautical miles By Abi Wylie / 25 Aug 2023

Tactical UAS

Discover cutting-edge solutions from 9 leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Marines Successfully Trial MQ-8C Unmanned Helicopter Refuel
Follow DA

Marines have delivered fuel to a Navy MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned autonomous helicopter from a Marine Corps CH-53E for the first time in U.S. Navy and Marine Corps history.

The innovative aerial delivered ground refueling (ADGR) trial was the first time a manned aircraft has provided fuel for an unmanned rotary wing aircraft.

The MQ-8C is a sea-based, vertical lift unmanned system that traditionally operates from a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a relatively small surface vessel designed for operations near shore. The MQ-8C supports the LCS in and around littoral waters through data collection and assessment.

The Navy and Marine Corps were testing the tactical application of operating a shipborne integrated intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance platform for extended time ashore in a simulated littoral environment.

Marines leveraged the CH-53E’s ability to provide fuel to air and ground vehicles in austere environments to maximize the range of the MQ-8C. The CH-53E transferred approximately 700 pounds of fuel, just under the maximum payload of the MQ-8C, which supports an estimated range of 150 nautical miles. By comparison, the CH-53E has a maximum 23,450 pound fuel payload and supports an estimated range of 540 nautical miles.

As a result, the CH-53E can refuel the MQ-8C multiple times while operating in a combat environment without sacrificing much of its own fuel. This supports the joint force by keeping the MQ-8C on the battlespace longer.

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361 led the ADGR trial with the MQ-8C Fire Scout from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, during Service Level Training Exercise (SLTE) 5-23, further developing the tactical application of the MQ-8C in littoral environments in support of troops anywhere in the world.

“Coming to Twentynine Palms was an opportunity to showcase that the MQ-8C can be a valuable platform in support of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force,” said Lt. Cmdr. Brian “Freq” Paskey, the HSC-21 training officer. “By conducting ADGR in addition to using a mobile control station, the MQ-8C can be operated to support Marines in nearly any environment.”

“For the MQ-8C, the U.S. is exploring the tactical application of an asset with expanding capabilities – they need to know what is working, and what they need to work on,” said Lt. Col. Nathaniel Griggs, Director of Aviation Combat and Integration (AC&I) at Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command. “We are in the desert, but the logistical, administrative, and most importantly the tactical lessons learned here are applicable to any clime and place.”

Military UAS manufacturers & suppliers Unmanned Aerial Systems for defense > >

Posted by Abi Wylie Edited by Abigail Wylie, Editor and Copywriter experienced in digital media with a keen interest in ocean science technology. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

New Oscilloquartz Optical Cesium Clocks Enhance Network Timing Precision

Adtran is expanding its Oscilloquartz portfolio with the new OSA 3200 SP and OSA 3250 ePRC optical cesium models, providing improved holdover and simplified maintenance for telecom, data center, utility, and defense networks

Jul 09, 2025
Silicon Sensing to Exhibit MEMS-Based Navigation Systems at ISTS 2025

Silicon Sensing will exhibit its advanced MEMS inertial navigation technologies at ISTS 2025, showcasing precision solutions for space applications and compact sensor innovations

Jul 09, 2025
Advanced Motor & Motion Technologies for Mission-Critical Military Applications

Defense Advancement showcases innovative precision motor and motion solutions for mission-critical military and aerospace applications

Jul 09, 2025
Textron’s TSUNAMI™ USV Reinforces Maritime Security at FLEX25

Textron Systems successfully demonstrated the autonomous TSUNAMI™ USV during a real time operational scenario at FLEX25 in El Salvador

Jul 09, 2025
U.S. Army Selects MyDefence C-UAS Systems to Strengthen Force Protection

MyDefence has been selected to supply counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) technology to the U.S. Army, enhancing operational defense against drone threats

Jul 08, 2025
Inertial Labs’ Role in Drone LiDAR Survey of Tree Obstructions at JBLM Airfield

Inertial Labs technology outlines how it supported a US Air Force pilot project at JBLM to evaluate drone LiDAR for mapping tree obstructions near the airfield

Jul 08, 2025

Featured Content

Teledyne FLIR OEM Whitepaper: Synthetic Data Generation for AI Object Detection

Read Teledyne FLIR OEM’s whitepaper on AIMMGen™, a defense-oriented synthetic data and AI model generation pipeline tailored to Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) and object classification tasks

Jul 03, 2025
Galvion’s Production Hub in Poland Now Open & Operational

Galvion's new Production Hub in Poland has formally opened through a large ceremony held at the Gdansk facility with factory tours, demonstrations, and live models of helmets

Jun 30, 2025
Rugged Military IT Systems for Demanding Environments

Discover how MilDef’s rugged IT solutions support global defense operations, including a long-term deployment in extreme conditions with a European military unit

Jun 27, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.