Firebird integrates Earthwatch sensor amid four-day flight trials
Northrop Grumman has completed a series of mission-focused engagements for its Firebird optionally piloted MALE ISR aircraft, including integration of the TK-9 Earthwatch sensor from Overwatch Imaging.
‘The sensor was integrated in one day as part of ongoing capability flights validating the wide range of missions the Firebird system can perform for government and commercial customers,’ Northrop Grumman stated on 14 July.
Over a four-day period, the Firebird team carried out four manned flights with 100% aircraft availability for day and night operations.
Firebird demonstrated several data collection missions, including wide-area surveillance, pattern-of-life monitoring, route clearance, SAR, high-value subject tracking, hostage recovery, and fire hotspot detection.
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