Edwards Tests production Global Hawk for possible deployment

Published: Sep 03, 2005
Source: www.edwards.af.mil



09/2/05 – EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Global Hawk flight test efforts were completed Sunday bringing the latest version of the aircraft one-step closer to warfighter employment.

The tests conducted here by the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Detachment 5, the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron and the 452nd Flight Test Squadron on the unmanned aerial vehicle were designed to support an upcoming Air Combat Command decision on whether the production Block 10 Global Hawk aircraft and sensor suite are ready for deployment.

Global Hawk UAVs provide Air Force and joint battlefield commanders near-real-time, high-resolution, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance imagery.

The plan, said Lt. Col. Andy Thurling, 452nd FLTS operations officer, is to replace the Advanced Concept Demonstration, or ACTD, Global Hawks that are currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.continue..