RQ-4A Global Hawk

The RQ-4A Global Hawk, or Global Hawk Block 10, is the initial version of the RQ-4 system deployed in November 2001 in support of the Global War on Terror (GWOT). Provides near real-time, high resolution IMINT, through the Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) payload, of large geographic areas containing information about enemy resources, location and personnel. It is equipped with satellite (beyond-line-of-sight or BLOS) and line-of-sight (LOS) data links for communications with ground control stations. The United States Air Force RQ-4A aircraft was first deployed in November 2001 over Afghanistan during operation Enduring Freedom. The first production RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicle arrived at the Beale Air Force Base, California, on November 16, 2004. In August 2005, the USAF was confident to have 21 fully operational Global Hawks by 2008 and 51 by 2012 when Global Hawk series production is expected to be complete. In January 2006 the US Air Force deployed its first two production RQ-4A Global Hawk aircraft in support of the Global War on Terrorism. As of April 2011, the US Air Force requirement for Global Hawk aircraft had decreased from 77 to 66 airplanes with an unitary cost of $100.8 million. Mission parameters are pre-programmed into the RQ-4A Global Hawk mission computer before flight. Afterwards, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can autonomously taxi, take off, fly, remain on station collecting imagery, return and land. The Global Hawk has been deployed in support of joint US military services exercises and missions carried out with Germany and Australia. For enhanced survivability the RQ-4A unmanned aircraft features low observable technologies such as reduced radar cross section.

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