Northrop Grumman / Ryan Aeronautical RQ-4 Global Hawk
The Global Hawk features a 36-hour in-flight endurance time. By Staff Writer
The Global Hawk is an unmanned aerial vehicle utilized by the United States Air Force and Navy for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance of enemy movements and positions. Despite being one of the larger in the American UAV family, the Global Hawk system has unprecedented range for a UAV and a commander can utilize its long loitering time to his advantage. In any case, the Global Hawk has added a new tool in the commander's toolbox when it comes to finding or fighting an enemy that is hard ot find and always on the move - all while not exposing friendly pilots to battlefield dangers.
Though a pricey system to say the least (and individual unit costs somewhere in the vicinity of $123 million dollars and change) the hope is that the future of warfare is made somewhat safer and more efficient with remote eyes in the skies. The Global Hawk features a sensor suite provided for by Raytheon, a sensor system by Hughes and the entire unit is operated via a satellite-providing data link. This data connection link allows for full transference of information in the form of video and pictures to sources on the ground (when within range of ground receivers). As with most modern UAVs, the Global Hawk tracks its position via GPS.
Along with United States Air Force and Navy use, the Global Hawk system is also being considered by several US-friendly allies including Australia, Canada and South Korea. An off-shoot of the RQ-4B version of the Global Hawk is being considered for European sale as the EuroHawk. This particular model would be fitted with specialized EADS reconnaissance equipment and is under German consideration for purchase. The Global Hawk holds an aviation history distinction as being the first unmanned aircraft to fly across the Pacific Ocean, from the United States to Australia.
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Aircraft Quick Profile
Image courtesy of the United States Department of Defense.
2001
Designation:Northrop Grumman / Ryan Aeronautical RQ-4 Global Hawk Classification Type:Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Contractor:Ryan Aeronautical / Northtrop Grumman - USA Country of Origin: United States Production Total: 10
Operators: the United States of America
Variants
RQ-4A - Initial and Base Production Model Designation.
RQ-4B - Secondary Revision Model Designation
"EuroHawk" - Based on the RQ-4B airframe but fitted with EADS reconnaissance systems.
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