May 7 2015
The U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk high altitude, long endurance autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) successfully completed Milestone C approval from the Defense Acquisition Executive. For the Northrop Grumman Corporation-built Global Hawk program, Milestone C is a key incremental step in the Department of Defense's acquisition process that enables the program to move forward with modernization activity.
A U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk on a runway in Palmdale, California.
The UAS achieved a predetermined level of software maturity and the ability to demonstrate operational interoperability with other relevant systems prior to Milestone C approval. Global Hawk maintains estimated costs within cost caps and has full program funding for the length of the Future Years Defense Program. The Milestone Decision Authority approved Global Hawk's updated Acquisition Strategy and Acquisition Program Baseline.
The UAS was still in development in 2001 when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against the United States created a greater need for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Responding, Global Hawk quickly deployed into theatre where the system remains in support of worldwide Combatant Command operations.
"The most important date in any acquisition program is the day you get a new and needed capability into our warfighter's hands," said Mick Jaggers, director, Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman. "We have proven that we can successfully take systems like this through Milestone C and into full-rate production, even in times of war."
"It is true testament to the U.S. Air Force and the Global Hawk industry team that we have been able to effectively support the warfighter for over a decade with a variety of sensor payload capabilities," Jaggers added. "In working with the Air Force, we seek to fly a variety of additional payloads within size, weight, power and communication parameters."
Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk industry team includes ATK, Aurora, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, GE Aviation, United Technologies - Goodrich, Harris, Honeywell, L-3 Communications, Macrolink, Raytheon, Rolls-Royce, Sierra Nevada Corporation and Triumph Aerostructures.
Global Hawk variants have flown more than 150,000 flight hours in support of antiterrorism, antipiracy, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, airborne communications relay and information-sharing missions.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.