Visitors to the Royal International Air Tattoo sit in the crew station Saturday, July 20, 2019, of the Tempest concept aircraft created by BAE Systems, Leonardo, Rolls-Royce and MBDA. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
RAF FAIRFORD, England — The roar of jet engines was the soundtrack as more than two dozen nations and aeronautical companies showcased next-generation aircraft designs and debuted new product lines at Britain’s Royal International Air Tattoo.
Around 185,000 people attended the three-day event over the weekend at RAF Fairford, about 30 miles west of Oxford, where 245 military aircraft from the air forces of 25 nations were on display and pilots put on aerial displays.
Northrop Grumman’s new Firebird, which is designed for unmanned or crewed flight, made its European debut at the show. The modular intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft system can fly for up to 30 hours at altitudes of up to 25,000 feet.
In comparison, Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk drone flies for more than 32 hours at a ceiling of 60,000 feet. However, Firebird’s crewed option allows it to fly in areas where drones are restricted.
The Firebird’s crew station can be removed and an antenna mounted within hours, leaving the aircraft ready to be used in its unmanned configuration, a spokesman for Northrop Grumman said at the show.
Multiple U.S. government agencies have already placed orders for the new aircraft, Northrop Grumman said.
Visitors to the show also had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a concept combat aircraft that the Royal Air Force may fly in the future.
The plane, called the Tempest, will use technologies found in the F-35 Lightning II and is compatible with the U.S. aircraft. The sixth-generation fighter is projected to enter service in 2035, replacing the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The Tempest will offer the option of manned or unmanned flight, said a spokesman for the development team, which comprises several British Defense Ministry departments and U.K. contractors.
Days before the Tattoo, Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding with Britain, agreeing to cooperate on the Tempest project.
dennis.christopher@stripes.com Twitter: @chrisbdennis
Visitors to the Royal International Air Tattoo sit in the crew station Saturday, July 20, 2019, of the Tempest concept aircraft created by BAE Systems, Leonardo, Rolls-Royce and MBDA. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
Northrop Grumman's Firebird is displayed Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Royal International Air Tattoo, at RAF Fairford, England. The Firebird operates as either a drone or as a manned aircraft. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
Tempest Team's concept aircraft, left, Northrop Grumman's Firebird, center, and the Bat Unmanned Aircraft System, right, are on display Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, England. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
A pilot from the Belgian Air Force maneuvers his F-16AM Fighting Falcon Saturday, July 20, 2019 in an aerobatic display above the audience at the Royal International Air Tattoo in RAF Fairford, England. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
A pilot from the Belgian Air Force maneuvers his F-16AM Fighting Falcon Saturday, July 20, 2019 in an aerobatic display above the audience at the Royal International Air Tattoo in RAF Fairford, England. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
Pilots from the French Air Force Aerobatic Team fly their F-84G aircraft in close formation Saturday, July 20, 2019 above the audience at the Royal International Air Tattoo on RAF Fairford, England. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
Pilots from the French Air Force Aerobatic Team fly their F-84G aircraft in close formation Saturday, July 20, 2019 above the audience at the Royal International Air Tattoo on RAF Fairford, England. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
Visitors tour a C-17A Globemaster III from the NATO Heavy Airlift Wing Saturday July 20, 2019 during the Royal International Air Tattoo on RAF Fairford, England. ()
British Airways, celebrating its 100th birthday, displays its repainted Boeing 747-436 with the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows flying in escort Saturday July 20, 2019 at the Royal International Air Tattoo on RAF Fairford, England. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
Visitors to the Royal International Air Tattoo peer into the crew station of a Royal Air Force F-35 Lightning II Saturday July 20, 2019 at RAF Fairford, England. (Christopher Dennis/Stars and Stripes )
