First Power-On Of New Fire-X Medium-Range Vertical Unmanned System: "Northrop Grumman and Bell Helicopter have moved a significant step closer to being able to offer military users a vertical unmanned system that can ferry cargo - either internally or externally - over extended distances.
On Sept. 17, the team applied external power for the first time to the main computers and associated subsystems for its new Fire-X medium-range vertical unmanned aerial system (VUAS), currently in final integration and test at Bell Helicopter's Xworx rapid prototyping facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
First flight for the new extended range, cargo-hauling VUAS, which is based on the FAA-certified Bell 407 airframe, is expected by the end of CY2010.
'The Fire-X 'power-on' sequence, which validates the integrity of the electrical system, went exactly as planned,' said George Spongberg, Northrop Grumman's Fire-X program manager.
'It confirmed that the air vehicle's vehicle management system has been configured properly, and that all of the air vehicle's new wire harnesses are delivering power at the right levels to all of the major subsystems.' Fire-X's new wire harnesses were produced, tested and installed by Bell Helicopter, he added."
