Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout vs Qods Yasir

ADrones & UAVs

Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout

UAV helicopter

BDrones & UAVs

Qods Yasir

Unmanned aerial vehicle

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire ScoutLength

10.6 m

Length source ↗

Qods YasirLength

1.19 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scoutlarger figure on 2 of 3

Length+791%
Service ceiling+33%

Qods Yasirlarger figure on 1 of 3

Endurance+33%

Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.

Measured figures

Head to head

13 of 31 rows sourced on both sides

10.6m

1.19m

Length+791%

All recorded figures & sources

10.6 m

Length

Disputed

34 ft 8 in (10.6 m)^[source]

Length: 34 ft^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications · Length: 34 ft 8 in (10.6 m)

1.19 m

Length

Single source

1.19 m (3 ft 11 in)^[source]

—

3.05m

Wingspan

All recorded figures & sources

3.05 m

Wingspan

Single source

3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)^[source]

11.2mMain rotor diameter

—

Rotor diameter

All recorded figures & sources

11.2 m

Main rotor diameter

Single source

36 ft 7 in (11.2 m)^[source]

3.05m

—

Height

All recorded figures & sources

3.048 m

Height

Disputed

10 ft 11 in (3.3 m)^[source]

Height: 10 ft^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications · Height: 10 ft 11 in (3.3 m)

2.7tMaximum take-off; Max takeoff weight

19kgGross; Gross weight

MassScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

2,721 kg

Maximum take-off; Max takeoff weight

Single source

6,000 lb (2,721 kg)^[source]

19 kg

Gross; Gross weight

Single source

19 kg (42 lb)^[source]

260km/hMaximum; Maximum speed

120km/hCruise; Cruise speed

SpeedScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

260 km/h

Maximum; Maximum speed

Single source

140 kn (160 mph, 260 km/h)^[source]

120 km/h

Cruise; Cruise speed

Single source

120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)^[source]

—

100km

Range

All recorded figures & sources

100 km

Range

Single source

100 km (62 mi, 54 nmi)^[source]

606kW1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C47B , 813 shp (

—

Power

All recorded figures & sources

606 kW

1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C47B , 813 shp (

Single source

1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C47B , 813 shp (606 kW)^[source]

15h

20h

Endurance+33%

All recorded figures & sources

15 h

Endurance

Single source

15 h

maximum

Single source

15 hours maximum^[source]

Endurance: 15 hours^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications · Endurance: 15 hours maximum

20 h

Endurance

Disputed

8 h

Single source

8 h or 20 h^[source]

Endurance: 8 h^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications · Endurance: 8 h or 20 h

6,100m

4,600m

Service ceiling+33%

All recorded figures & sources

6,100 m

Service ceiling

Single source

20,000 ft (6,100 m)^[source]

4,600 m

Service ceiling

Single source

4,600 m (15,000 ft)^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout and Qods Yasir configuration
Specification	Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout	Qods Yasir
Crew	0^[source]Source text · numeric interpretation needs review	none^[source]
Type	UAV helicopter^[source]	Unmanned aerial vehicle^[source]
Manufacturer	Northrop Grumman Bell Helicopter^[source]	Qods Aviation^[source]
Status	Development testing^[source]	in production and in service^[source]
Primary user	United States Navy^[source]	—
Number built	38^[source]	—
Introduction date	2019^[source]	September 28, 2013^[source]
First flight	2013^[source]	—
Developed from	Bell 407 Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout^[source]	Boeing Insitu ScanEagle^[source]
Capacity	2,950 lb (1,338 kg)^[source]	—
Role	unmanned helicopter^[source]	Iranian light tactical surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)^[source]
Source measurement	In March 2013, the Navy incorporated the Rolls-Royce 250-C47E engine into the MQ-8C for a 5 percent increase in hot and high power, 2 percent reduced fuel consumption, 8 percent increase in rated takeoff power, and better reliability. The Bell 407-based MQ-8C has an endurance of 12 hours, a range of 150 nmi (170 mi; 280 km), and a payload capacity of about 318 kg (701 lb). It has twice the endurance and three times the payload as the MQ-8B.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In September 2013, the MQ-8C Fire-X delivered to the Navy turned on its engines for 10 minutes in preparation for first flight. First flight was scheduled for early to mid-October, although the exact date was not determined, as such tests are often delayed by minor system problems. The MQ-8C flight test regime was for six months.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The MQ-8C Fire Scout first flew on 31 October 2013. It flew for 7 minutes in restricted airspace using autonomous controls at Naval Base Ventura County . It flew a second time hours later that day to an altitude of 500 ft. The MQ-8C was jointly operated by Northrop Grumman and the Navy. Northrop Grumman delivered the second MQ-8C in November 2013. They were under contract to build 14 helicopters.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In December 2014, the MQ-8C began testing aboard the destroyer Jason Dunham , executing 22 landings and recoveries in less than four hours. Testing was completed on 19 December, executing 32 takeoffs and recoveries over three flights. The MQ-8C will be ready to perform surface warfare missions in 2018 and mine countermeasure missions in 2020. The aircraft's first deployment is expected for 2016 to give Littoral Combat Ships a 50 nmi (58 mi; 93 km)-radius ISR capability.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In May 2016, NAVAIR signed a contract for the Osprey 30 lightweight AESA radar for the MQ-8C, the first system of its type to offer full spherical coverage with no moving parts. The 360-degree, 50 kg (110 lb) airborne radar uses fixed panels distributed around the body of aircraft, mounting antennas weighing just over 11 kg (24 lb) each. The radar is classified as the AN/ZPY-8 and will be retrofitted onto the Navy's MQ-8C's.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In December 2014, the first operational MQ-8C was delivered to the US Navy. Its final developmental flight was completed in April 2015, after 450 hours completed in 327 flights. In August 2015, Northrop Grumman demonstrated the MQ-8C's endurance with an 11-hour flight. In November 2015, the MQ-8C completed a 3-week operational assessment period to assess system performance, endurance, and reliability of the unmanned helicopter over 83.4 hours in 11 flights. To date, the aircraft logged 730 flight hours over 427 flights. Ship-based testing is expected to begin in 2017. In July 2018, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 concluded the initial operational test and evaluation of the MQ-8C, conducted aboard the USS Coronado .^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Capacity: 2,950 lb (1,338 kg)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 34 ft 8 in (10.6 m)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 10 ft 11 in (3.3 m)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 6,000 lb (2,721 kg)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C47B , 813 shp (606 kW)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Main rotor diameter: 36 ft 7 in (11.2 m)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 140 kn (160 mph, 260 km/h)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Endurance: 15 hours maximum^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	The Yasir is 1.19 meters long, has a wingspan of 3.05 meters, and weighs 18 kg. This is similar to, but slightly smaller than the ScanEagle. It has a speed of 120 km/h, a max endurance of 20 hours, a 16,000 ceiling, and a communications link distance of up to 100 km.^[source]Qods Yasir · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 1.19 m (3 ft 11 in)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Gross weight: 19 kg (42 lb)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 100 km (62 mi, 54 nmi)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Endurance: 8 h or 20 h^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,000 ft)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage
Country of origin	Canada, United States^[source]	—
Origin reported by inventory	USA^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 5, row 37, cell 3; revision 1376156903; retrieved 2026-10-02	—
National origin	—	Iran^[source]
Designer	—	Qods Aviation Industry Company^[source]
Primary users	—	Iran Syria^[source]
Manufactured	—	2013–onwards^[source]
Propellers	—	2-bladed^[source]

FORCETALLY

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Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout

Qods Yasir

Crew

0^[source]Source text · numeric interpretation needs review

none^[source]

Type

UAV helicopter^[source]

Unmanned aerial vehicle^[source]

Manufacturer

Northrop Grumman Bell Helicopter^[source]

Qods Aviation^[source]

Status

Development testing^[source]

in production and in service^[source]

Primary user

United States Navy^[source]

—

Number built

38^[source]

—

Introduction date

2019^[source]

September 28, 2013^[source]

First flight

2013^[source]

—

Developed from

Bell 407 Northrop Grumman MQ-8 Fire Scout^[source]

Boeing Insitu ScanEagle^[source]

Capacity

2,950 lb (1,338 kg)^[source]

—

Role

unmanned helicopter^[source]

Iranian light tactical surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)^[source]

Source measurement

In March 2013, the Navy incorporated the Rolls-Royce 250-C47E engine into the MQ-8C for a 5 percent increase in hot and high power, 2 percent reduced fuel consumption, 8 percent increase in rated takeoff power, and better reliability. The Bell 407-based MQ-8C has an endurance of 12 hours, a range of 150 nmi (170 mi; 280 km), and a payload capacity of about 318 kg (701 lb). It has twice the endurance and three times the payload as the MQ-8B.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In September 2013, the MQ-8C Fire-X delivered to the Navy turned on its engines for 10 minutes in preparation for first flight. First flight was scheduled for early to mid-October, although the exact date was not determined, as such tests are often delayed by minor system problems. The MQ-8C flight test regime was for six months.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The MQ-8C Fire Scout first flew on 31 October 2013. It flew for 7 minutes in restricted airspace using autonomous controls at Naval Base Ventura County . It flew a second time hours later that day to an altitude of 500 ft. The MQ-8C was jointly operated by Northrop Grumman and the Navy. Northrop Grumman delivered the second MQ-8C in November 2013. They were under contract to build 14 helicopters.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In December 2014, the MQ-8C began testing aboard the destroyer Jason Dunham , executing 22 landings and recoveries in less than four hours. Testing was completed on 19 December, executing 32 takeoffs and recoveries over three flights. The MQ-8C will be ready to perform surface warfare missions in 2018 and mine countermeasure missions in 2020. The aircraft's first deployment is expected for 2016 to give Littoral Combat Ships a 50 nmi (58 mi; 93 km)-radius ISR capability.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In May 2016, NAVAIR signed a contract for the Osprey 30 lightweight AESA radar for the MQ-8C, the first system of its type to offer full spherical coverage with no moving parts. The 360-degree, 50 kg (110 lb) airborne radar uses fixed panels distributed around the body of aircraft, mounting antennas weighing just over 11 kg (24 lb) each. The radar is classified as the AN/ZPY-8 and will be retrofitted onto the Navy's MQ-8C's.^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In December 2014, the first operational MQ-8C was delivered to the US Navy. Its final developmental flight was completed in April 2015, after 450 hours completed in 327 flights. In August 2015, Northrop Grumman demonstrated the MQ-8C's endurance with an 11-hour flight. In November 2015, the MQ-8C completed a 3-week operational assessment period to assess system performance, endurance, and reliability of the unmanned helicopter over 83.4 hours in 11 flights. To date, the aircraft logged 730 flight hours over 427 flights. Ship-based testing is expected to begin in 2017. In July 2018, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 concluded the initial operational test and evaluation of the MQ-8C, conducted aboard the USS Coronado .^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Design and development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Capacity: 2,950 lb (1,338 kg)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 34 ft 8 in (10.6 m)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 10 ft 11 in (3.3 m)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 6,000 lb (2,721 kg)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce 250-C47B , 813 shp (606 kW)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Main rotor diameter: 36 ft 7 in (11.2 m)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 140 kn (160 mph, 260 km/h)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Endurance: 15 hours maximum^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)^[source]Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The Yasir is 1.19 meters long, has a wingspan of 3.05 meters, and weighs 18 kg. This is similar to, but slightly smaller than the ScanEagle. It has a speed of 120 km/h, a max endurance of 20 hours, a 16,000 ceiling, and a communications link distance of up to 100 km.^[source]Qods Yasir · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 1.19 m (3 ft 11 in)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Gross weight: 19 kg (42 lb)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 100 km (62 mi, 54 nmi)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Endurance: 8 h or 20 h^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 4,600 m (15,000 ft)^[source]Qods Yasir · Specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Country of origin

Canada, United States^[source]

—

Origin reported by inventory

USA^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 5, row 37, cell 3; revision 1376156903; retrieved 2026-10-02

—

National origin

—

Iran^[source]

Designer

—

Qods Aviation Industry Company^[source]

Primary users

—

Iran Syria^[source]

Manufactured

—

2013–onwards^[source]

Propellers

—

2-bladed^[source]