We Have The Best Images And Video Yet Of The H03 Firebird Spy Plane And Boy Does It Sound Odd [4/5] - H03 Firebird Spy Plane 5.jpg (1/1)

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Scaled Composites' optionally manned H03 Firebird surveillance plane has
captured our imaginations since we first posted detailed single aspect images of
its intriguing tail configuration last April. Since then, we reported that it
had taken to the skies and had images to prove it. You can read everything we
know about this highly unique aircraft and its interesting lineage in both of
those past posts linked here and here. Now we have the clearest images yet of
this supposed production-ready Firebird and its sensor suite, taken at Mojave
Air And Space Port by our good friend and regular contributor Matt Hartman of
Shorealonefilms.com.

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Firebird is meant to be quiet due to its spy/surveillance mission set. Trying to
get the drop on some bad guys while droning overhead like a buzz saw sort of
defeats the point. Its five-bladed prop helps with its audible signature but
clearly, other measures have been taken to make it as silent as possible.

As the H03's testing commences hopefully Scaled Composites will tell us a little
bit more about the aircraft and even possibly who is slated to take ownership of
it. Its unique and highly flexible feature set seems as if it would be really
attractive, especially to export customers who can't afford all different types
of manned and unmanned aerial surveillance assets. Just being able to easily
forward-deploy the H03 to new locales with a pilot at the controls is a huge
advantage over strictly unmanned medium altitude long endurance platforms. Other
high-altitude, prop-driven surveillance aircraft do exist and remain in demand,
but none are built to be optionally manned.

We also know that the EO/IR sensor ball is just the start of the aircraft's
payload capabilities and it's designed to carry many types of systems, including
radars, electronic intelligence suites, air sampling gear, and possibly even
weapons. Seeing that Scaled Composites is owned by Northrop Grumman, its parent
company may now have a product to offer that nobody can really compete directly
with.

We will keep you in the loop as to any new developments with this truly
intriguing aircraft.




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