The first flight of the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout from a U.S. Navy littoral combat ship (LCS) brings this autonomous, unmanned helicopter one step closer to full operational capability as an attack helicopter capable of attacking enemy warships on its own.

The recent sea trials off the coast of California saw an MQ-8C Fire Scout land aboard the Independence-class LCS USS Montgomery (LCS-8). It came after an earlier flight test aboard the USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

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Northrop Grumman says the MQ-8C Fire Scout is the Navy's next-generation autonomous rotorcraft. The aircraft is designed to perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions.

The navy plans to have the MQ-8C Fire Scout deployed aboard multiple ships in the near future giving the fleet the persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting asset it needs.

The Fire Scout's flight from the USS Montgomery marks the end of its Dynamic Interface testing phase.

Northrop Grumman said Fire Scout's autonomous technology coupled with the range and endurance of the MQ-8C airframe is truly a game-changer. When the MQ-8C deploys with its advanced AESA (Active electronically scanned array) maritime radar, the navy will have unmatched situational awareness and the ability to provide sea control in any contested maritime environment.

The MQ-8C can take-off and land autonomously. It's designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, aerial fire support and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces.

The MQ-8C Fire Scout first flew for only seven minutes on October 31, 2013. Since then, the drone's flight time has increased, and completed 22 landings and take-offs from the USS Jason Dunham in December 2014. The first operational MQ-8C was delivered to the navy in December 2014.

The ship-based tests are the final step before the MQ-8C Fire Scout becomes operational aboard major warships of the navy.