Today this morning. Long range high altitude piston engine.

 Paul Lamar
 --
 Looks like an updated composite Cessna 337!
 Marc


http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/05/navy-northrup-grumman-unveils-new-intel-aircraft-050911/


 SAN DIEGO — Defense giant Northrop Grumman on Monday unveiled its
 Firebird aerial system built to accommodate multiple cameras,
 communications relays and other sensors that will enable it to
 multitask — and even be controlled simultaneously by multiple
 controllers.

 Firebird, a 5,000-pound aircraft with a 65-foot wingspan, features an
 internal modular payload with a universal, “plug and play” interface
 that can support multiple sensors including high-definition video
 cameras and infrared imagery for intelligence, surveillance and
 reconnaissance missions.

 Firebird is designed for both manned and unmanned flight that is
 interchangeable, so it can be flown like an airplane or controlled
 like a drone, Crooks said.

 Although it is powered by a general aviation engine, Firebird’s wide
 wingspan makes it akin to a high-performance glider, Crooks said.
 Unmanned, it will be able to provide “persistence presence,” flying up
 to 40 hours — depending on payload. “It combines speed with glide
 capability,” he said, noting it can reach altitudes of 25,000 to
 30,000 feet and fly 80 knots as it loiters for ISR missions or up to
 200 knots in high-speed dashes. It has a multi-fuel system that uses
 aviation gasoline and motor gasoline and an electronic control system
 that enables efficient fuel burning, he added.

 Paul Lamar

Paul,

Define what is "motor gasoline" are they denoting it can burn auto-gas
via the ECI Lycoming has developed, or have they delved into what Hirth
did with Orbital and their DI 2 stroke i.e. Spark Ignited Heavy Fuel? At
some point does this need to NATO JP fuel compliant, my guess is yes. I
know it is not Rotary related, but Ford announced this week 2 Crate
Motors, the 3.5L and 2L Eco-Boost engines. I guess the Blue Oval would
want no Gen-Av exposure, but the Eco Boost System to me would be a good
tech retrofit for a Rotary(doing it is a different matter of course). I
have had a number of lengthy non-properitary all public knowledge
discussions with a friend who has been on the project(s). Their is more
technologically going on than people will give Ford credit for with this
system, many think it is a marketing gimic especially the GM-ers....

I'd share some of my discussions w/ CPA& Enrolled Agent  friends about
Taxamageddon and what I am hearing from small business people 1st and
2nd hand and it is all not good, but we have been through enough already.

All my conservative friends are devastated and some are moving in the
arena of just figuring out ways to survive, because they think this will
all collapse. IMHO next year it will be a very bumpy ride, less
disposable income, businesses closing or not going foward with spending
capital, and Gen-Av will really take it on the chin. A natural gas fired
rotary co-gen unit formy basement anyone :-) ????

Anthony

I cannot read their mind :) It is likely the Lyc EFI.

Paul Lamar