We Have The Best Images And Video Yet Of The H03 Firebird Spy Plane And Boy Does It Sound Odd

Updated Sep 21, 2018 4:44 PM EDT

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 .

Here are those shots and some captions about what we can see in them:

Once again, Scaled Composites ground crews are wearing logo gear associated with the aircraft they are supporting. , Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com

The wingspan of the H03 is really impressive, a necessity for very long-endurance loitering operations up at altitudes where jet airliners fly. , Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com

Note the small round fixtures above the aircraft’s LED landing light and on its horizontal tailplane. These are very likely cameras that would be used for unmanned operations. The cockpit area of the Firebird can be replaced with a high-bandwidth satellite communications system covered by an opaque fairing. This image also gives us a good look at the beyond-line-of-sight UHF satcom antenna installed on the lefthand sponson., Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com

The cone-like fairings under the nose and above the right tail are line-of-sight data-link antennas that can send the intelligence the H03 collects directly to ground stations for exploitation. They can also be used for command and control of the vehicle during line-of-sight unmanned operations., Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com

Here is by far our best view of Firebird’s primary sensor as it is configured now, the FLIR systems Star SAFIRE 380. The sensor ball is a highly capable and features HD multi-spectral imaging as well as laser capabilities. Most important is that it has a 120X zoom that would be very useful considering the altitudes Firebird operates at. It also features a fairly wide field of view of 30 degrees at the short end just .25 degrees at the short end. The latest versions can also fuse multi-spectral imagery together in real time. , Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com

Here is a sample of just how incredible this sensor system is:

Here we see the engine configuration, with its big twin air scoops. Supposedly Firebird uses a turbocharged Lycoming TEO-540E, but this could have changed. There was also mention of it having the option of running a heavy fuel engine as well. The FAA lists the aircraft’s engine as AMA/Experimental., Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com

The up-turned dihedral of Firebird’s wings may have an aerodynamic advantage but the configuration also improves line-of-sight of its sensor turret during banks. Considering the aircraft could loiter over a localized area for a long period of time this is quite important. , Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com

Note the other antennas arrayed neatly atop Firebird’s spine and the aircraft still carries a flight test data probe. Overall the fit and finish on this aircraft is very impressive. It does look very much like a production-ready design, something that is a bit unique for Scaled Composites. Supposedly a customer does exist and eventually, this aircraft, along with a number of others, will end up in their hands. , Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com

The images are certainly interesting, but this video of Firebird taxiing is even more so just for the audio alone:

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.

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

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更新于美国东部时间2018年9月21日下午4:44

自去年四月我们首次发布Scaled Composites公司可选载人的H03“火鸟”侦察机的单角度高清图片以来，它就一直吸引着我们的目光。此后，我们报道了该机已成功试飞，并提供了图片佐证。您可以在之前发布的两篇文章中了解关于这架独特飞机及其有趣发展历程的所有信息（链接在此和此处）。现在，我们获得了迄今为止最清晰的“火鸟”量产机及其传感器套件的图片，这些图片由我们的好友兼长期撰稿人、Shorealonefilms.com网站的Matt Hartman在莫哈韦航空航天港拍摄。

以下是这些照片以及一些关于我们从中可以看到什么的说明文字：

Scaled Composites公司的地勤人员再次身着印有他们所负责飞机标识的装备。（图片来源：Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com）

H03的翼展确实令人印象深刻，这对于在喷气式客机飞行的高空进行超长航时盘旋作业至关重要。（图片来源：Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com）

请注意飞机LED着陆灯上方和水平尾翼上的小型圆形装置。这些很可能是用于无人操作的摄像头。火鸟的驾驶舱区域可以替换为由不透明整流罩覆盖的高带宽卫星通信系统。这张图片还让我们清楚地看到安装在左侧舷侧浮筒上的超视距UHF卫星通信天线。（图片来源：Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com）

机头下方和右尾上方的锥形整流罩是视距数据链天线，可以将H03收集到的情报直接发送到地面站进行分析利用。它们还可以用于视距无人操作期间对飞行器的指挥和控制。（图片来源：Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com）

这是目前为止我们对“火鸟”号主传感器——FLIR Systems Star SAFIRE 380——的最佳观察。这款球形传感器功能强大，具备高清多光谱成像和激光功能。最重要的是，它拥有120倍变焦，考虑到“火鸟”号的飞行高度，这将非常实用。此外，它的视场角也相当宽广，近场30度，远场0.25度。最新版本还能实时融合多光谱图像。（图片来源：Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com）

以下示例足以说明这套传感器系统有多么出色：

这里我们可以看到发动机的配置，包括两个巨大的进气口。据称“火鸟”使用的是一台涡轮增压的莱康明TEO-540E发动机，但情况可能已经改变。也有人提到它还可以选择使用重油发动机。美国联邦航空管理局（FAA）将该飞机的发动机列为AMA/实验型发动机。（图片来源：Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com）

“火鸟”战机上翘的机翼二面角不仅具有空气动力学优势，还能改善其传感器炮塔在倾斜飞行时的视线。考虑到该战机可能在局部区域长时间盘旋，这一点至关重要。（图片来源：Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com）

注意看，火鸟机背脊上整齐排列着其他天线，而且飞机上还保留着飞行测试数据探头。总的来说，这架飞机的装配和做工都非常出色。它看起来确实很像一架可以量产的设计，这对于Scaled Composites公司来说有点特别。据说确实有一位客户，最终，这架飞机以及其他一些飞机都将交付到他们手中。（Matt Hartman/Shorealonefilms.com）

这些图片固然有趣，但这段火鸟滑行的视频，单凭音频就更精彩了：

由于“火鸟”的定位是间谍/监视任务，所以它必须保持安静。如果像电锯一样嗡嗡作响地在空中盘旋，试图偷袭坏人，那就完全违背了它的初衷。它的五叶螺旋桨有助于降低噪音，但显然，为了尽可能地降低噪音，设计人员还采取了其他措施。

随着H03测试的开始，希望Scaled Composites公司能够透露更多关于这款飞机的信息，甚至包括它的最终买家。其独特且高度灵活的功能组合似乎极具吸引力，尤其对于那些无法负担各种有人和无人空中监视设备的出口客户而言。H03能够轻松地前沿部署到新的地点，并由飞行员操控，这本身就是相对于纯粹的无人中空长航时平台的巨大优势。虽然市面上也存在其他高空螺旋桨驱动的监视飞机，并且市场需求依然旺盛，但没有一款飞机是为可选有人驾驶而设计的。

我们还知道，光电/红外传感器球只是该飞机有效载荷能力的冰山一角，它旨在搭载多种系统，包括雷达、电子情报套件、空气采样设备，甚至可能还有武器。鉴于Scaled Composites公司隶属于诺斯罗普·格鲁曼公司，其母公司现在可能拥有了一款其他公司无法直接竞争的产品。

我们将随时向您通报这款引人入胜的飞机的任何新进展。

联系作者：Tyler@thedrive.com

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