EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., July 28 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman's Block 40 Global Hawk made its first system flight with the AN/ZPY-2 Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program sensor in California.
The flight with the sensor package was a first for a fleet of RQ-4B Block 40 Global Hawks that will be delivered to the unmanned aerial system's main operating base at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.
The MP-RTIP-equipped Block 40 Global Hawk provides unprecedented capabilities for both military and domestic applications. Flying at altitudes up to 60,000 feet for more than 32 hours per sortie -- at speeds approaching 340 knots -- the Block 40 Global Hawk provides persistent coverage to collect data in all types of weather, day or night, providing vital near real-time imagery to the warfighter.
"Since 2001, Global Hawk has provided critical resources to the warfighter, while accumulating more than 45,000 combat and humanitarian relief hours," said George Guerra, vice president, High Altitude Long Endurance Systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems.
"The MP-RTIP equipped Global Hawk is the natural evolution of the program's advanced technology in providing invaluable intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities for both military and domestic applications."
The Block 40 Global Hawk is a part of a growing Q-4 Enterprise family of unmanned systems developed by Northrop Grumman. The Q-4 Enterprise builds on the company's more than 60 years experience with unmanned aircraft and autonomous flight control, including more than 52,000 flight hours by the battle-proven RQ-4 Global Hawk.
