First Upgraded Global Hawk UAV Achieves First Flight

Posted on: Jul. 20th, 2004 || Source: irconnect.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

FARNBOROUGH 2004 AIR SHOW, U.K., July 20, 2004 -- The first air vehicle in a new production lot of upgraded RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles made its maiden flight on July 1. Designated AF-3, the newest Global Hawk flew from Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) manufacturing facility in Palmdale, Calif., to the Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base.

The four-hour flight was flawless, adding to a long list of accomplishments for the U.S. Air Force's Global Hawk. Northrop Grumman is the Air Force's Global Hawk prime contractor.

"The first flight of AF-3 is a significant milestone for Global Hawk because it will be the first air vehicle from Lot 2 to be delivered to the Air Force with several combat-proven upgrades integrated into the system," said Carl O. Johnson, Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk vice president and integrated product team leader.

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