The US Air Force has performed its first flight with a Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle from the type’s newest operating location – Andersen AFB, Guam.

Performed on 7 October, the sortie was the first to have been made with the UAV since its arrival at the base from Beale AFB, California on 20 September following an 18h ferry flight.

The USAF expects to have at least three Block 30 Global Hawks permanently based at Andersen AFB, with Northrop expecting the fleet to become operational early next year.

 Global Hawk Guam rain - USAF

Global Hawk Guam take-off - USAF

Both images © Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson/US Air Force

Capable of flying at up to 60,000ft (18,300m) and for more than 30h, the high-altitude, long-endurance type is equipped with a signals intelligence-gathering payload.

Source: FlightGlobal.com