Fire Scout: The Navy, Northrop Grumman, and Acquisition in Adversity: A Case Study

Abstract

The Department of Defense is experimenting with how to deliver new capabilities in 2 to 5 years. Program offices recognize that they are dependent upon their contractors for successful delivery. The MQ-8 Fire Scout started in 1999 and achieved initial operational capability of the MQ-8C in 2019, after 20 years and effectively three program restarts. After each restart, the contractor developed, manufactured, and delivered a functional product deployed by the Navy within 5 years of contract award. Conventional wisdom says that senior leadership support and customer urgency are critical to fast delivery. This study shows how a program office and prime contractor were able to deliver a new capability despite changes in procurement objectives, evolving technologies, and requirements.