Northrop Grumman's Optionally Manned Firebird Demonstrates Operational Flexibility

摘要

Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Firebird multi-sensor aircraft showcased the versatility of the optionally manned autonomous system as it flew to various locations across the United States last month, the company said in an April 6 release. The company flew Firebird almost 9,000 miles around the U.S. with stops in Dayton, Ohio, Washington, D.C., Patuxent River, Maryland, as well as Tampa, Miami and Key West, Florida. "Our flights showcased one of its key differentiators-the ability to position the system in a manned configuration, then convert to autonomous operations for persistent ISR in under two hours," said Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager, autonomous systems, Northrop Grumman. "At each stop, plane-side briefings provided customers the opportunity to see first-hand the operational versatility of the platform, its large sensor bay and rapid configurability for changing mission needs."