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RQ-4A Global Hawk
(Model)
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| RQ-4A Global Hawk | Model |  |
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With the significant exception of being unmanned, the RQ-4A Global Hawk is similar
to the legendary Lockheed U-2 in mission. The Global Hawk can survey large geographic
areas with pinpoint accuracy from high altitudes while keeping pilots out of harm's way.
Once mission parameters are programmed into the aircraft, it autonomously taxis, takes
off, flies, captures imagery, returns, and lands. High-resolution sensors which can
look through adverse weather, day or night, from an altitude of 65,000 feet, enable
surveillance over 40,000 square miles - an area roughly the size of Illinois - in just
24 hours. Ground-based operators monitor the Global Hawk's systems and can change
navigation and surveillance coverage during flight as necessary.
Since its first flight on 28 February 1998, the Global Hawk has achieved numerous firsts in aviation history: the first UAV to fly non-stop roundtrip across the Atlantic Ocean; the first UAV to fly non-stop across the Pacific (from California to Australia); the first fully autonomous UAV used in combat operations; and the first UAV to be certified by the FAA to fly in US national airspace. Recently, the RQ-4A has been key to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and monitors flashpoints in other regions around the world. The aircraft was developed at Northrop Grumman's Ryan Aeronautical Center just north of San Diego in Rancho Bernardo. |
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| Specifications | |
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MANUFACTURER
TYPE ENGINE WINGSPAN LENGTH HEIGHT GROSS WEIGHT MAXIMUM SPEED RANGE CEILING ENDURANCE ARMAMENT CREW |
Northrop Grumman, Rancho Bernardo, CA
Reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) One Rolls-Royce/Allison AE3007H turbofan; 7,150 lb (33.8kN) thrust 116 ft 3 in (35.42 m) 44 ft 5 in (13.53 m) 15 ft 3 in (4.64 m) 14,800 lbs (6,170 kg) 403 mph (648 km/h) 11,730 miles (21,720 km) 65,000 ft (19,800 m) 36 hours None None |
| Northrop Grumman |
| A San Diego Company Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, California, producing technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding, and space technology. The company has more than 125,000 employees and operates in all fifty states and twenty-five countries. The company's Integrated Systems Division (Ryan Aeronautical Center), located in Rancho Bernardo just north of San Diego, specializes in unmanned aerial vehicles and cyber warfare. |
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| About the Museum's Aircraft |
| This is a one-half scale model of the Global Hawk. It was built by Aurora Flight Sciences which manufactures the V-tail on the real aircraft. The model was donated to the Museum in 2002 by Northrop Grumman. |
Items of Interest...
| Related Links |
| RQ-4 Block 10 Global Hawk - Northrop Grumman |
| RQ-4A/B Global Hawk - airforce-technology.com |
| Global Hawk RQ-4A-B - Defense Update |
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