RQ-4A Global Hawk American Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
RQ-4A Global Hawk
High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAV
Other
Basic Information
Name
RQ-4A Global Hawk American Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Designation
RQ-4A Global Hawk
Alternate Designation
RQ-4A Global Hawk
Equipment Type
High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAV
Manufacturer
Northrop Grumman
Date of Introduction
2001
Description
The RQ-4A Global Hawk is a high-altitude, remotely-piloted, surveillance aircraft. It provides a broad overview and systematic surveillance using high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and long-range electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors with long loiter times over target areas. It can survey as much as 40,000 square miles (100,000 km2) of terrain a day, an area the size of South Korea or Iceland.
Air & Air Defense Specifications
Engine
Turbofan (7050 hp)
Max Speed
351.0 km/h
System
Alternate Designation
RQ-4A Global Hawk
Date of Introduction
2001
Type
High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAV
Proliferation
United States, NATO, Germany, Republic of South Korea, Japan
Manufacturer
Northrop Grumman / Ryan Aeronautical
Mission Roles
Reconnaissance, Special Operations
Dimensions
Length
13.4 m
Width
35.3 m
Height
4.6 m
Weight
3,850 kg
Internal Payload Weight
907 kg
Automotive
Engine Name
Allison Rolls Royce AE3007H
Engine Type
Turbofan
Engine Power
7,050 lbs thrust
Maximum Speed
351 knots
Maximum Distance
12,000 nm
Maximum Altitude
19,812 m
Variants
RQ-4B
Improved Global Hawk; increased wingspan (130.9 feet), length (47.7 feet) and payload capacity; reduced range.
EQ-4B
Fitted with Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) suite.
RQ-4D "Phoenix"
NATO Variant. Basic platform features.
RQ-4E
Based on the RQ-4B airframe but fitted with European Aeronautical Defense
& Space (EADS) reconnaissance systems; German export model; single example delivered as of March 2013 with an additional four more possible.
MQ-4C "Triton"
Naval Global Hawk developed for US Navy; primarily for maritime reconnaissance and surveillance; 68 examples planned for procurement. NFI.
Global Hawk NATO AGS (Alliance Ground Surveillance)
Developed for NATO procurement; as many as five examples may be procured. NFI.
Image Sources
Details
Country of Origin
United States
Category
UAVs
Air > UAVs
Filter Label
R
Classification
Domain
Air & Air Defense
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
13.4 m
Width
35.3 m
Height
4.6 m
Weight
3850 kg
Operators (3)
Germany
Japan
South Korea
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