Mission
The RQ-4A Global Hawk is a high altitude, high endurance unmanned aircraft and integrated sensor system to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability in support of the Joint Force commander. The system is envisioned to support joint combatant forces worldwide during peace, crisis and wartime operations. The Global Hawk's exceptional range and endurance coupled with its ability to provide near-real-time transmission of imagery to multi-service and joint exploitation make it a true force multiplier. Potential applications of the Global Hawk include Targeting and Precision Strike Support, Battle Damage Assessment, Enemy Order of Battle Information, Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield, and Sensitive Reconnaissance Operations.
Features
The Global Hawk air vehicle can operate at altitudes in excess of 60,000 feet and has demonstrated endurance of over 30 hours. It can carry sensor payloads of approximately 2,000 pounds. It carries both Electro-Optical (EO) / Infrared (IR) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and is capable of simultaneous use of EO/SAR or IR/SAR with Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI). Air vehicle operation is essentially autonomous using fail-safe programs with the capability of being reprogrammed in flight should changes to the mission plan be required. System redundancy for selected systems will greatly reduce the probability of loss and allow extended time on station while a replacement vehicle is enroute. Global Positioning System (GPS) aided inertial navigation systems provide the accuracy required for both runway environment and flight operations.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Surveillance and reconnaissance Contractor: Northrup Grumman Ryan Aeronautical Center Power Plant: Single Allison AE3007H (approximately 7,000 pounds thrust) Length: 44 feet Height: 15 feet Weight: Approximately 25,600 gross take-off Wingspan: 116 feet Speed: 300 to 400 Knotts true air speed (KTAS) Range: 1,200 nautical mile radius with 24 hours on station Loiter Altitude: 50,000 to 65,000 feet Fuel Capacity: 14,800 pounds, JP-8

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