Defence

Northrop Grumman has scheduled the first flight of the newest and most advanced variant of the RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude unmanned aircraft system by the end of September. The Block 30 airframe includes the previous version's electro-optical/infrared camera and radar, but adds the airborne signals intelligence payload. The new sensor combines receivers for communications and electronic intelligence.

Completing the flight test period will lead to an intial operational test and evaluation phase starting in the third quarter of 2009. The US Air Force plans to buy 26 Block 30s, or slightly more than half of the planned fleet of 51. The final 15 aircraft purchased by the USAF will be in the Block 40 configuration, which includes the RQ-4 version of the multi-platform radar technology insertion programme sensor. The first such radar is due for delivery to the RQ-4 programme in February.

© USAF