Global Hawk takes shape at Plant 42

Published: Sep 08, 2005
Source: www.avpress.com



PALMDALE - The next-generation version of the Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft is taking shape at Northrop Grumman Corp.'s manufacturing center, readying for a late spring flight.

Major airframe components for the first of the new "B" model aircraft have been assembled at the Air Force Plant 42 facility, making the new bird about 70% complete, Northrop spokeswoman Revelle Anderson said. "It looks like an airplane," she said.

Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance, unmanned aerial reconnaissance system designed to provide military field commanders with high-resolution, near-real-time imagery of large areas.

It is designed to fly to 65,000 feet with a range of 14,000 miles and a flight endurance of 40 hours.

The new model, dubbed RQ-4B, is larger than its predecessor and capable of carrying 1,000 pounds more in payloads.continue..