US Air Force orders three new RQ-4 Global Hawk
Northrop Grumman is to build three new RQ-4 Global Hawk UAS for the US Air Force under a $354 million contract announced on 15 September. The order will bring the air force’s RQ-4 fleet size to 37 in 2017.
The primarily firm-fixed-price contract also includes retrofit kits to add Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP) sensors into two of the existing RQ-4, providing them with Multi-INT capability. ASIP is an advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) collection sensor also built by Northrop Grumman.
Global Hawk operates multiple sensors simultaneously to gather ISR data. The new aircraft will also have Multi-INT ASIP sensors, and will collect multiple types of intelligence from high altitudes for up to 32 hours at a time.
The ASIP retrofit kits are scheduled for delivery in late 2016 and in 2017.
Mick Jaggers, Global Hawk program manager, Northrop Grumman, said: ‘Northrop Grumman is proud that the RQ-4 Global Hawk has become an indispensable ISR resource for the air force. These new systems will provide further opportunities to keep our warfighters safe.
‘Even as Global Hawk flight hours increase each year, we are striving to reduce the overall operating cost of the system for the air force. The air force's commitment to putting more Global Hawks in the air and our dedication to meeting affordability agreements for production and sustainment ensure that this vital asset will remain sustainable and viable for many years.’
The different variants of Global Hawk have flown more than 126,000 flight hours supporting diverse global missions. Carrying a variety of ISR sensor and communications gateway payloads, Global Hawk supports antiterrorism, antipiracy, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, airborne communications relay, information-sharing and the full range of operational combat missions.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.