Article Posted on : - May 05, 2010

The new unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Northrop Grumman and Bell Helicopter. A Northrop photo

WASHINGTON (BNS): Northrop Grumman and Bell Helicopter have unveiled Fire-X – a new medium range high-capacity vertical unmanned aerial vehicle they are developing for the US defence forces.

The new aircraft system was unveiled at Northrop's facility in Maryland on Monday, the company said.

The tactical UAV, with vertical take-off and landing capability, is based on a four-blade single-engine Bell 407 helicopter.

Drawing heavily from the US Navy's MQ-8B Fire Scout UAV helicopters developed by Northrop, the Fire-X will incorporate intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) features. The aircraft will also have enhanced payload capacity (up to 3000 pounds), longer endurance (over 14 hours) and robust cargo hauling.

The unmanned aerial system is being designed to operate with nearly any type of current or future military standard-based control segment, including the US Navy's Tactical Control Station, and the Army's ground control station.

“US war fighters will be able to keep tabs on their enemies for longer period of time, communicate more easily with their commanders, and deliver more cargo to more remote locations using the new Fire-X medium-range vertical unmanned aerial system (VUAS),” Northrop said.

The first flight test of Fire-X is expected by the end of 2010, Northrop said.