How is the Global Hawk helping NASA?

NASA and Northrop Grumman gain benefit in supporting each other’s use of the Global Hawk system which includes ground control stations, maintenance facilities, and the NASA Global Hawk aircraft. The Global Hawk aircraft operate autonomously and execute a flight plan loaded to the aircraft prior to flight.

What is Global Hawk used for?

The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with an integrated sensor suite that provides global all-weather, day or night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.

Is the Global Hawk a UAV?

The Global Hawk (Tier II+) High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HAE UAV) program is an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) designed to satisfy the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office’s (DARO) goal of providing extended reconnaissance capability to the Joint Force commander.

How much does Global Hawk cost?

The cost of a single RQ-4A Global Hawk UAV is approximately $220 million depending on configuration, according to news reports.

How high can a Global Hawk fly?

60,000 feet
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is designed to fly at high altitudes of up to 60,000 feet (18 km), according to Northrop Grumman’s website. Commercial passenger aircraft typically fly at altitudes of between 31,000 and 38,000 feet, or 9 to 11 km.

How far can a Global Hawk see?

While the Global Hawk remains at high altitude to conduct surveillance, the Triton climbs to 50,000 ft to see a wide area and can drop to 10,000 ft to get further identification of a target.

Does Global Hawk carry weapons?

The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, remotely-piloted, surveillance aircraft. According to the USAF, the superior surveillance capabilities of the aircraft allow more precise weapons targeting and better protection of friendly forces. …

What kind of aircraft is the Global Hawk?

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center operates two Northrop Grumman Global Hawk unmanned aircraft for high-altitude, long-duration missions. Acquired from the U.S. Air Force, these two aircraft consist of a Block 2 Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration model and a Block 10 initial production model.

Where is Northrop Grumman in the Global Hawk program?

NASA has selected Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. (NGSC) of San Diego to provide demonstration engineering, manufacturing, and technical support for the Global Hawk Skyrange program at the agency’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

Is the Global Hawk 872 still in use?

See the calendar for Global Hawk 872 (AV-6) availability. Global Hawk 871 (AV-1) has been retired and is no longer available for use.

What does Armstrong and NGSC do for Global Hawk?

NGSC and Armstrong will integrate sensors on the Global Hawk aircraft and perform ground and flight activities to develop integrated systems and perform demonstration flights against flight assets.