From The Archives: Forgotten Firebird - 15 Years Ago In Aviation Week
The cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s May 9, 2011, issue featured Northrop Grumman’s Firebird optionally piloted aircraft, which the company hoped would challenge General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.’s MQ-9 Reaper medium-altitude/long-endurance UAS and Hawker Beechcraft’s C-12.
In the depicted configuration, Firebird carried a tactical common datalink under the nose, an electro-optical and infrared sensor below the cockpit, and a synthetic aperture radar under the fuselage.
Each wing also featured a single hard point suitable for weapons deployment. Built in secret by Northrop subsidiary Scaled Composites in just 12 months, Firebird was one of the last aircraft designs spearheaded by the celebrated Burt Rutan, who retired shortly before this issue was published.
But despite its pedigree and its optional piloting feature, Firebird was unable to drum up any export business, and Northrop suspended production in 2022.
Northrop Grumman photo.
Enjoy unlimited access to the complete Aviation Week Archive, which features over 100 Years of Aviation Week content at your fingertips.
Every issue, every page, every article we have ever published. Your subscription includes full access to the archives, plus current Aviation Week & Space Technology articles (both digital and print packages available).
Related Content
