Aircraft
Firebird Deliveries Imminent as the OPV Makes European Debut
Northrop Grumman says that both government and commercial customers are in line to get the Firebird optionally-piloted vehicle
Designed by Scaled Composites at Mojave, California, the Northrop Grumman Firebird has undergone a number of design changes since the demonstrator vehicle first flew in February 2010. (photo: Northrop Grumman)
Designed by Scaled Composites at Mojave, California, the Northrop Grumman Firebird has undergone a number of design changes since the demonstrator vehicle first flew in February 2010. (photo: Northrop Grumman)

Northrop Grumman’s Firebird optionally-piloted vehicle (OPV) is due to be delivered to its first government customers imminently, but in parallel, the company is tying in new customer types for the aircraft in the commercial market, while promoting the benefits of a dual-configuration system to a number of other potential customers.