Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk
Northrop Grumman · United States · first flew 1998 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle operated by the USAF and allied nations for strategic ISR missions, capable of flying continuously for more than 30 hours at over 18,000 m altitude.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Single turbofan engine mounted above aft fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large HALE UAV with distinctive bulbous nose sensor fairing
- Unmanned — 0 crew
- Single turbofan engine mounted above aft fuselage
Identified by its very long tapered high wings, swollen bulbous nose housing the SAR/electro-optical sensor suite, and a single turbofan engine mounted dorsally on the aft fuselage.
Specifications
- The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk has a length of 14.5 m (48 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 39.9 m (131 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 629 km/h (391 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed under DARPA's HAE UAV programme, the RQ-4A first flew in February 1998. The larger Block 20/30/40 variants followed, introducing the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar and improved sensor suites. It has conducted ISR operations in every major US military theatre.
Variants
RQ-4A was the initial variant; RQ-4B (Block 20/30/40) has a wider fuselage and greater payload; the EQ-4B flies as a battlefield communications relay (BACN). Germany and NATO operate the Euro Hawk and Alliance Ground Surveillance variants.
Where you'll see it
Operated by USAF, NASA, and exported to Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Australia; NATO operates a Global Hawk-based Alliance Ground Surveillance fleet from Sigonella, Italy.
Related aircraft
- Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk
- Northrop Grumman RQ-8A Fire Scout
- Northrop Grumman EQ-4B Global Hawk
- Northrop B-2 Spirit
- AeroVironment Centurion
- Bell Eagle Eye
- Boeing X-40A
- IAI Searcher II
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