Northrop Grumman Firebird

Firebird
Role Intelligence gathering aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Northrop Grumman/Scaled Composites
First flight February 2010
Primary user United States
Number built 1

The Northrop Grumman Firebird is an intelligence gathering aircraft designed by Northrop Grumman's subsidiary Scaled Composites which can be flown remotely or by a pilot. At Scaled, it is known as the Model 355. It was unveiled on May 9, 2011.[1][2] It was first flown in February 2010 and is considered to be an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV).[3][4]

  1. ^ Hennigan, W.J. (9 May 2011). "Onboard pilot optional with Northrop's Firebird spy plane". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  2. ^ Robbins, Gary (9 May 2011). "Northrop secretly develops spy plane in San Diego". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  3. ^ Butler, Amy (9 May 2011). "Exclusive: Northrop Unveils Firebird MALE". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  4. ^ Grady, Mary (May 2011). "Scaled's Latest: Pilot-Optional Spyplane". AvWeb. Retrieved 10 May 2011.