Navy Fire Scout Drone Improves Sub-Hunting

by Kris Osborn

Giving it increased ability to detect and destroy enemy mines and submarines from a Littoral Combat Ship, service officials said.

The new sensor, designed for combat and surveillance missions in littoral waters, is called the Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis, or COBRA.

“COBRA is currently in Initial Operational Test and Evaluation on the MQ-8B and is projected to reach Initial Operational Capability this year,” Capt. Jeff Dodge, Fire Scout program manager, told Scout Warrior in a written statement.

COBRA’s primary function is detecting mines and submarines while keeping the LCS and its crew at a safe distance.

Given that the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship is engineered to use its shallow draft, speed and maneuverability to conduct combat operations in littoral waters near enemy coastlines, having an improved technological capacity to find and detect enemy mines and submarines near the surface expands its mission envelope and provides needed protection for offensive ship operations.

Having a small helicopter detachment able to launch and land off the back of the LCS is a key part of the Navy’s emerging strategy for surface warfare, countermine warfare and anti-submarine warfare.

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