We still don't know what the Green Dart Hunter is. Northrop Grumman is "not at liberty" to say, and is referring journalists to the Army.
Until the army calls us back, all we can do is, aherm, what journalists do best: wildly speculate in the absence of facts.
My pal Airpower writes in to suggest that the vehicle may be related to a recent contract award to Northrop for Viper Strike.
That's possible, but I'm wondering if a different explanation is more likely.
Northrop is referring reporters inquiring about the Green Dart to a public affairs officer at army's Intellegence and Security Command (INSCOM).
Based on this one clue, I'm going to guess that it's a new version of the Hunter equipped with a very sophisticated intelligence payload -- mostly likely hyperspectral imagery or perhaps a mini-synthetic aperture radar. Both payloads are ideal for that catch-all mission these days: hunting for improvised explosive devices.
It's also possible that the payload could be electronic intelligence -- another IED fixation -- but I'd be surprised if the army has a low-band receiver small enough to be of any use on Hunter.
The price tag is also notable. You should be able to buy at least a few Hunters and a ground station for $22.4 million.
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