UAV Profile: Northrop Grumman Global Hawk

The Northrop Grumman Global Hawk is a high altitude long endurance low wing monoplane with extended high aspect ratio wing and single tail mounted turbofan engine.

The RQ-4B Block 20 is the current standard production version of the Global Hawk family from air vehicle 17 through to the completion of LOT 4 deliveries under US Air Force funded spiral development plans for the type.

The first Block 20 variant made its debut flight on March 1 2007 with deliveries now underway to the USAF. The first export sale was secured in February 2007 with an order for 1+4 systems by Germany as the basis of its Eurohawk derivative.

Currently on offer for the US Navy Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) requirement under the designation RQ-4N. Block 20 to be succeeded in USAF production by Block 30 and 40 series aircraft from LOT 5.

Northrop Grumman Global Hawk cutaway poster ...