Firebird MALE, USA
Firebird MALE, USAManned Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
IntroductionFirebird is a medium altitude and long endurance
manned or unmanned aerial vehicle designed and manufactured by
US-based company Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC) for the US
Defense Forces.
The optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) works as an intelligence
gathering system and can execute intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Flying at a maximum altitude of 9,100m, the Firebird can render
its operators with real time high definition videos, infra-red
imagery and electronic message listening capability by carrying out
surveillance and reconnaissance operations over large areas.
DesignThe Firebird is powered by a single Lycoming TEO-540
engine rated at 360hp (261kW) of output power.
The TEO-540 is a twin-turbocharged and intercooled engine
integrated with state-of-the-art electronics and sensors making it
compatible to operate in any environment.
The Firebird is designed to carry out both military and
commercial operations. It is flexibly designed to suit manned or
unmanned operations and can be easily modified for the two flight
modes.
It is incorporated with plug and play elements and can operate
both day and night even in harsh environments.
FeaturesThe vehicle will feature a slender wing spanning 19.8m,
a large internal payload bay, a three-bladed pusher propeller in
the rear side of its fuselage and eavesdropping gear.
High resolution electro-optic camera will be installed
underneath the front fuselage to capture real time videos or
infra-red imagery.
The Firebird features one hardpoint on each wing to launch air
to ground missiles despite not having been tested for weapons
incorporation.
The Firebird can fly at a maximum speed of 370km/h. The
endurance of the aircraft is 24 to 40 hours.
Sensors & NavigationThe Firebird will be equipped with three
high definition Star SAFIRE 380 electro-optical or infra-red
sensors supplied by FLIR Systems.
The SAFIRE 380 is a 15-inch durable turret which commands eight
payloads simultaneously.
It is integrated with an automatic launch and recovery system
which assists in automatized safe landing when communication errors
occur within the control station.
The vehicle will also be incorporated with communication signals
intelligence system 1500 (CGIS- 1500) and electronic support
measures.
Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_Firebird
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/firebird/
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