Northrop Grumman Firebird flies in Empire Challenge

Northrop Grumman video of its Firebird optionally manned aircraft flying in the Empire Challenge 2011 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance demonstration. The aircraft, which was flown manned, demonstrated its ability to carry up to four payloads simultaneously - here 3 high-definition electro-optical/infrared sensors and an electronic support measures payload - and the integrate and interchange payloads rapidly using an IP-based plug-and-play architecture. Firebird, designed by Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites, is being developed as a competitor to the Predator UAV family.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• aerospace
• aviation
• unmanned
• UAV
• ISR
• Northrop
• Firebird
• Predator

[ZZimster]

At some angles it almost looks like the A-10. Especially the wings.

[TehSplinterCell]

@ZZimster

I was just thinking this.

Somebody call Northrop Grumman and ask them if a GAU-19 would fit under the nose. We might be on to something awesome here.

[TheGreatSteve]

@TehSplinterCell In a stealthy airframe, that would be cool!