Photography > Aerial Reconnaissance and Imagery Analysis > Drones, RPVs, UAVs & UCAVs > Selected Programs

Global Hawk
Background: Northrop Grumman Ryan's RQ-4A/Global Hawk is a long endurance, high altitude UAV developed via the Tier II+ High Altitude Endurance (HAE) UAV Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration. Global Hawk is in active service in Afghanistan as of late 2001, providing a complimentary surveillance and target acquisition capability with the RQ-1 Predator. The mission profile for Global Hawk is considerably different than the that of the Predator, operating from very high altitude, extended mission endurance, and a payload suited to the surveillance and over-watch needs of the theater commander.

Characteristics:
Length - ft 44.4
Wing Span - ft 116.2
Gross Weight - lbs 25,600
Payload Weight - lbs 1,900
Fuel Capacity - lbs 14,500
Fuel Type - JP-8
Engine Make - 1xAllison AE3007H
Power - lbs 7,600 (SLS)
Structure - Aluminum and composite
Guidance Navigation - Litton 211G INS/GPS
Data Link(s) - UHF

Performance:
Endurance - hrs 38
Radius - nm 2400 (with 24 hrs TOS)
Max Speed - kts 345
Stall Speed - kts 95
Altitude - 65,000
Takeoff Means - Conventional (3700 ft runway reqd)
Navigation - Preprogrammed, with autonomous/direct control
Sensor(s) - Raytheon/Hughes EO/IR and SAR with MTI