NORTHROP GRUMMAN FIREBIRD UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

Northrop Grumman Firebird is a modern American aircraft designed primarily for reconnaissance tasks. The machine was first tested in 2010, but has not entered mass production so far. The drive is provided by a single Lycoming TO-540 engine with a power of up to 350 HP. The machine is 10 meters long with a wingspan of 20 meters. It does not have permanent on-board armament, but it has at least two under-wing knots. Northrop Grumman Firebird is an unusual aircraft classified as OPV (Optionally Piloted Vehicle), i.e. an aircraft that can be both a drone, but also can be piloted by the crew inside it, depending on the nature of the combat mission it is supposed to carry out. . The machine was made in a double-beam configuration, in a high wing configuration, and was made entirely of composites. However, it is not perceived as a combat machine, but intended only to perform reconnaissance and reconnaissance tasks. Northrop Grumman Firebird can stay in the air for up to 40 hours and can carry various types of observation equipment (e.g. radar, TV camera or night vision devices).