Firebird

Firebird

Firebird de la Northrop Grumman este o pasare noua, dedicata misiunilor de ISR (intelligence, surveiilance and recon).

O agentie de intelligence (bleah, cum suna… dar e pe trend sa zicem intelligence si in romaneste), sau un comandament al specialilor, inca nu se stie… a poftit zdravan la pasare si a comandat zece bucati.

Vazut de jos, are ceva asemanari cu OV-10 Bronco. Nu?

Diferenta este ca la aceasta pasare, pilotii sunt optionali.

Iaca ceva detalii conforme cu reperele din imagine:
1. Engine The turbocharged Lycoming TE0-540E is mounted high to allow ground clearance for the pusher propeller and belly-mounted sensors.

2. Payload Bay
Firebirds are built with high-definition video and infrared sensors to track targets, eavesdrop on enemy communications, and serve as a communications relay for friendly troops. The payload bay can be configured for many missions, ­saving money by serving as a multipurpose platform.

3. Cockpit
With two pilots in the cockpit, the Firebird can operate in airspace shared by commercial airplanes; while unmanned, the craft is suited for long-endurance ­missions. To fly out of sight of ground controllers, crews remove the canopy and cockpit navigation system and add a satellite antenna.

4. Wings
The forward-swept wings are designed to assist loitering up to 40 hours. The Pentagon’s current ISR aircraft don’t have equal endurance. Sensor pods or precision weapons can be affixed to hard points on the wings.

Aircraft Specs
Length: 35.5 feet // Wingspan: 72.2 feet // Altitude: up to 32,000 feet // Top speed: 200 knots // Payload capacity: 1240 pounds

Sursa: Popular Mechanics

 

– Iulian Iamandi –