Thu, May 12, 2011
"Firebird" Designed To Be Flown As A Manned Or Unmanned
Aircraft
Military users will be able to get real-time high-definition
video, view infrared imagery, use radar and even listen in on
communications signals - all at the same time - using a new
intelligence-gathering aircraft system unveiled today by Northrop
Grumman Corporation. Firebird offers a large internal payload bay
and an ability to operate multiple intelligence, surveillance,
reconnaissance (ISR) and communications payloads simultaneously
through a universal interface. The system is designed to be flown
as a manned or unmanned aircraft.

As lead for the Firebird program, Northrop Grumman developed the
unmanned systems architecture, control and mission systems. The
company chose Scaled Composites to design, build and test the
aircraft - with first flight occurring just 12 months after the
initial concept discussions. "We've harnessed the innovative
techniques of Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites to deliver an
unprecedented information-gathering capability," said Paul Meyer,
vice president and general manager of advanced programs and
technology for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "Firebird
addresses future budgetary constraints by combining the best of our
piloted and unmanned ISR systems into a single solution ready for a
variety of ISR missions."
Firebird's universal interface is similar to plugging a memory
stick into a personal computer that is automatically recognized
without needing to load additional software. "Not only have we
increased the number of ISR sensors working simultaneously in an
aircraft of this size, but we can also incorporate various sensors
that complement each other - greatly enhancing Firebird's
information-gathering value for warfighters," said Rick Crooks,
Northrop Grumman's Firebird program manager. "Firebird is an
adaptable system that makes it highly affordable because of the
number of different missions it can accomplish during a single
flight. It's a real game changer."
From inception, Firebird was designed to be flown as a manned or
unmanned aircraft and can be quickly modified for either option.
"Military users will also find it much easier to exploit
intelligence data from Firebird because the information is put into
a single tool that allows them to easily make decisions," said
Crooks. "The internal payload bay also does away with the need to
carry external pods to house sensor payloads that can cause drag
and affect how long the aircraft can stay in the air."
Firebird is set for an operational demonstration in an
optionally-piloted configuration from May 23 - June 3, 2011, during
Empire Challenge 2011, a military exercise run by U.S. Joint Forces
Command.
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