OVERVIEW
The Northrop Grumman EURO HAWK was intended to serve the German military in the SIGINT role before being cancelled during 2013.
The Northrop Grumman EURO HAWK was intended to serve the German military in the SIGINT role before being cancelled during 2013.
YEAR: 2010
MANUFACTURER(S): Northrop Grumman - USA
PRODUCTION: 1
OPERATORS: Germany (cancelled)
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Northrop Grumman EURO HAWK model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Northrop Grumman EURO HAWK model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 0
LENGTH: 47.57 feet (14.5 meters)
WIDTH: 130.91 feet (39.9 meters)
HEIGHT: 15.42 feet (4.7 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 14,947 pounds (6,780 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 32,254 pounds (14,630 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x Rolls-Royce F137-RR-100 turbofan engine developing 7,600 lb of thrust.
SPEED (MAX): 364 miles-per-hour (585 kilometers-per-hour; 316 knots)
RANGE: 14,155 miles (22,780 kilometers; 12,300 nautical miles)
CEILING: 60,039 feet (18,300 meters; 11.37 miles)
ARMAMENT
None. Mission package centered on SIGnals INTelligence (SIGINT).
None. Mission package centered on SIGnals INTelligence (SIGINT).
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• EURO HAWK - Base Product Name; based on the RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 20 product; single example completed.
Series Model Variants
• EURO HAWK - Base Product Name; based on the RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 20 product; single example completed.
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Northrop Grumman EURO HAWK SIGnals INTelligence (SIGINT) Unmanned Air System (UAS). Entry last updated on 7/6/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Northrop Grumman EURO HAWK SIGnals INTelligence (SIGINT) Unmanned Air System (UAS). Entry last updated on 7/6/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
EURO HAWK Unmanned Air System (UAS) was under development by the American concern of Northrop Grumman to fulfill a SIGINT (SIGnals INTelligence) role for the German military. The vehicle was based on the RQ-4 Global Hawk (RQ-4B Block 20 model) product and set to become the first foreign variant of the line which has seen extensive use by American forces since its introduction in 2001. For the Germans, the UAS would have taken on specific mission equipment as related to the ELINT (ELextronic Inelligence) and COMINT (COMmunications Intelligence) roles - however, the program was cancelled in May of 2013 due to growing concerns over achieving civil airspace certification. The EURO HAWK was set to succeed the stock of outgoing Dassault-Breguet Br.1150 Atlantique airborne SIGINT aircraft - the fleet was retired in 2010.
A EURO HAWK prototype was unveiled in October of 2009 and achieved first flight on June 29th, 2010 - though this over American soil. It was delivered to Germany in July of 2011 for further, local evaluation. Due to growing concerns about certification of the vehicle (and applicable costs) the system was abandoned. Before the end, EURO HAWK was able to set several European air records related to unmanned air vehicles during its time aloft - one flight netted the aircraft an endurance record by flying continuously for over 25 hours.
A EURO HAWK prototype was unveiled in October of 2009 and achieved first flight on June 29th, 2010 - though this over American soil. It was delivered to Germany in July of 2011 for further, local evaluation. Due to growing concerns about certification of the vehicle (and applicable costs) the system was abandoned. Before the end, EURO HAWK was able to set several European air records related to unmanned air vehicles during its time aloft - one flight netted the aircraft an endurance record by flying continuously for over 25 hours.
Despite the loss of EURO HAWK, there is renewed in early 2015 of bringing about the similar Northrop Grumman MQ-4C "Triton" UAV (detailed elsewhere on this site) to fulfill the SIGINT role. The vehicle is already being pursued by the United States Navy (USN) and has become a more evolved UAS form of the original Global Hawk with a better chance of achieving certification over civil airspace as it includes such features as icing prevention. Certainly USN endorsement of the product can only help in push the Triton to becoming the next German SIGINT aircraft.
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 400mph
Lo: 200mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (364mph).
Graph average of 300 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
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PAR
PAR
BER
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NYC
Graph showcases the Northrop Grumman EURO HAWK's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
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Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
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Altitude Visualization
