Global Hawk - Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Global Hawk Connects the Joint Force in Advanced Battle Management System Exercise

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 13:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – Aug. 19, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) RQ-4B Block 30 Global Hawk, with imagery and signals intelligence collection capabilities, was utilized by the United States Air Force during Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) exercises for the United States European Command. Global Hawk plays a significant role in autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance systems in support of numerous missions.

“Global Hawk is critical today and indispensable tomorrow as we continue to invest in new capabilities to improve system flexibility, resilience and responsiveness,” said Leslie Smith, vice president, Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman. “We are adopting proven advancements in technology and infrastructure to provide modernized cockpits, dynamic mission rerouting, OMS compliant payload computing, universal payload adapters and IP-based communications.”

Global Hawk is the premier autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance ISR platform for the U.S. Air Force and global partners. No other system provides a better combination of range, endurance and payload capacity, as demonstrated by the U.S. Air Force’s continuous use of Global Hawk to collect intelligence and deter regional threats for the past two decades.

To meet future operational needs, Global Hawk can extend and connect beyond its traditional strategic ISR mission and serve as an airborne network edge node, providing persistent communications relay and secure processing without putting personnel in harm’s way. These capabilities will be critical to helping realize the Department of Defense’s Joint-All Domain Command and Control vision.

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

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NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Awards Sustainment and Training Support to Northrop Grumman

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 15:25:00 GMT

SIGONELLA AIR BASE, SIGONELLA, Italy – Aug. 11, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been awarded a five-year, multimillion-dollar contract from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) in support of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force (NAGSF). The contract, designed to support fleet readiness, covers operations, maintenance and lifecycle sustainment of NATO’s fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles, air vehicle mission command and control stations, and trainer.

“We have a long legacy of partnering with the NATO AGS Force,” said Kenn Todorov, sector vice president, global sustainment and modernization, Northrop Grumman. “We will continue to deliver capabilities and services that optimize aircraft availability and fleet readiness while supporting the uninterrupted execution of the Alliance’s mission of persistent regional defense and deterrence.”

Under this contract, Northrop Grumman will provide full lifecycle sustainment including repairs, onsite maintenance and operations support to NAGSF at Sigonella Air Base, Sigonella, Italy. From the U.S., the team will provide program management, software sustainment, configuration management and technical support including sustaining engineering, technical documentation updates, integrated logistics support data analysis, reach back, airworthiness and system design responsibilities.

“The signature of this contract with Northrop Grumman marks another major milestone towards the In-Service Support Phase of the NATO AGS Core System. It will enable NSPA, in its role as Life Cycle Manager of the system, to sustain this key capability on behalf of the Alliance,” said NSPA General Manager, Mr. Peter Dohmen.

The NATO AGS system of systems, which recently achieved initial operating capability, is comprised of five RQ-4D aircraft, which is based on Northrop Grumman’s wide area surveillance Global Hawk, ground and support segments, and advanced sensor technologies. The wide area surveillance of the RQ-4D Global Hawk and the fixed, mobile and transportable ground stations provide cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability around the clock, and support a full range of missions, including protection of ground troops and civilian populations, border control, crisis management and humanitarian assistance in natural disasters. Northrop Grumman also supports NAGSF with flight mission planning, spares and post design services.

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グローバルホーク・オペレーターの経験を刷新する、ノースロップ・グラマン地上セグメント近代化プログラム

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 16:00:00 GMT

ノースロップ・グラマン　RQ-4 グローバルホーク　ブロック40

サンディエゴ – 2021年8月6日 – ノースロップ・グラマン社（NYSE: NOC）のRQ-4グローバルホーク地上セグメント近代化プログラム（GSMP）は、2020年の当該機の初飛行の後、現在、インテグレーション及び試験段階にあります。本プログラムは、パイロット及びセンサー・オペレーターの状況把握能力を強化するとともに任務遂行能力全般をさらに向上させることになる、新しいコックピット・ディスプレイを提供するものです。またGSMPは、グローバルホーク近代化取り組みにおける一連の構成プログラムの一つとして、今後、全世界のほぼ同等もしくは同等の脅威を監視し抑止するシステムの能力を強化していくことになります。このシステムの運用試験・評価は予定どおり2022年10月に完了する見込みです。

グローバルホークの詳細な情報についてはこちらをご覧ください。

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Northrop Grumman Ground Segment Modernization Program Revolutionizing the Global Hawk Operator Experience

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawk

SAN DIEGO – Aug. 6, 2021 – (PHOTO RELEASE) Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) RQ-4 Global Hawk Ground Segment Modernization Program (GSMP), currently in integration and testing following a successful first flight in 2020, provides new cockpit displays that enhance situational awareness for the pilot and sensor operator while improving overall mission capabilities. GSMP is part of a series of Global Hawk modernization efforts that will enhance the ability of the system to monitor and deter near-peer and peer threats around the globe. The system is on schedule to complete operational test and evaluation in October 2022.

For more information about Global Hawk, please click here.

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Northrop Grumman Completes Successful First Flight of Japan’s Second RQ-4B Global Hawk

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 15:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – June 24, 2021 – (PHOTO RELEASE) On the heels of the successful first flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk in early April, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) recently completed additional successful flights for the second unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for Japan. Global Hawk is the only high-altitude, long-endurance UAV to deliver near real-time on demand data around the clock.

For more information about Global Hawk, please click here.

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Northrop Grumman Completes Successful First Flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 14:38:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – April 16, 2021 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully completed the first flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk on April 15, 2021 from Palmdale, California. With an unmatched combination of range, endurance, and payload capability, Global Hawk is the only platform that provides greater data collection flexibility than space or medium-altitude assets.

Northrop Grumman Completes Successful First Flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk

“The unarmed RQ-4B Global Hawk will provide Japan with on-demand intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information supporting the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s missions of protecting borders, monitoring threats and providing humanitarian assistance in times of need,” said Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager, autonomous systems, Northrop Grumman. “This successful first flight is a significant milestone in delivering Global Hawk to our Japanese allies.”

Global Hawk is the only high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) to deliver near real-time on demand data around the clock. Once fielded, Global Hawk will integrate with other Japanese intelligence assets, including ground-based command and control units. The capability will provide solutions to monitor and deter regional threats to ensure Japan has a highly effective national security posture well into the future.

Northrop Grumman’s family of autonomous HALE systems, including Global Hawk, are a critical component of networked, global ISR collection for allied nations and mutual defense organizations around the world. Global Hawk collects ISR data that enables decision makers to act with the right information at the right time. When Japan’s Global Hawk fleet is fully operational, it will be part of a growing list of allied nations operating high-altitude long-endurance UAV. The United States, Australia, NATO and Korea will all be operating versions of this vital national surveillance asset.

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 97,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

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Northrop Grumman Completes First Flight of Global Hawk Ground Station Modernization Program

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 14:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – Dec. 21, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully completed the first flight for the Global Hawk Ground Station Modernization Program (GSMP) at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. earlier this month. Leveraging agile development and an open architecture design, the GSMP team transformed both the human-machine interface and the underlying software, paving the way for interoperability with other Air Force systems, enhanced responsiveness to ad hoc tasking, and lower impact updates in the future.

The modernized Global Hawk ground stations will revolutionize the operator experience with new cockpit displays, the ability to fly all Global Hawk variants without software or configuration changes, simpler maintenance interfaces, and improved situational awareness and environmental conditions for pilots and sensor operators.

“I am very excited about the new capability the Ground Segment Modernization Program will deliver to the Warfighter.” said Colonel William Collins, Global Hawk System Program Director, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. “Not only will it allow the operators to conduct their missions from an enhanced, building-based control element, it will deliver critical Diminished Manufacturing Sources solutions and system security enhancements that will ensure this vital capability continues to be secure from cyber threats.”

“Global Hawk is a critical asset that delivers vital data to U.S. forces and allies 24/7/365,” said Leslie Smith, vice president Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman. “New, modern ground stations for Global Hawk will significantly improve the system and allow operators to more efficiently deliver timely ISR data to warfighters and connect the joint force through its global communications node mission.”

Northrop Grumman’s family of autonomous HALE systems, including Global Hawk, are a critical component of networked, global ISR collection. Today, Global Hawk operates on the edge of the battlespace, collecting ISR data that enables decision makers to act with the right information at the right time. In the future, Global Hawk is uniquely positioned for additional missions that connect the joint force, including persistent high capacity backbone, pseudo-satellite communications coverage, and joint all-domain command and control.

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Northrop Grumman Delivers New Capabilities to Deployed Global Hawk Autonomous Aircraft

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – Sept. 24, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has delivered a pair of sensors to enhance the capability of its Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance autonomous aircraft system. Enhancements include the deployment of the MS-177 multi-spectral camera system to provide additional high resolution imaging capability for operational users. The second new capability is the first fielding of the increment 1 upgraded AN/ASQ-230 system on Global Hawk to meet expanded electronic threats.

Global Hawk takes off equipped with a MS-177 multi-spectral camera system. MS-177 provides high resolution imaging capability for operational users.

The MS-177 camera system provides multiple channels of intelligence collection in visible and infrared bands and provides a dramatic increase in multi-spectral imaging capacity. When paired with a Global Hawk platform, the MS-177 provides collection coverage in areas that cannot easily be reached by other means. Fielding of the AN/ASQ-230 increment 1 enhances Global Hawk’s support against electronic threats.

“Ongoing improvements to Global Hawk underscore Northrop Grumman’s commitment to the United States Air Force’s ISR mission and reducing costs through agile development and leveraged solutions,” said Leslie Smith, vice president, Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman. “New and improved payloads flying on our young, yet proven fleet of aircraft will allow our partners to deploy high value, networked assets to monitor adversaries while not risking the lives of military personnel well into the 2040s.”

Global Hawk’s combination of autonomy, range, endurance and payload, and an average aircraft age of under nine years, make Global Hawk a valuable asset for domestic and international customers with critical ISR collection requirements. The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments recently published a report highlighting the key role systems like Global Hawk play around the globe.

In the future, Global Hawk is uniquely positioned for additional missions that connect the joint force as one, including persistent high capacity backbone, pseudo-satellite communications coverage, and joint all-domain command and control.

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Northrop Grumman’s Grand Sky Facility Successfully Conducts Flight Control Test

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 13:00:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Oct. 29, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced today that it successfully completed a flight control test of a NASA Global Hawk from its Grand Sky facility near Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Following takeoff of the NASA Global Hawk by a crew at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) in California on Oct. 10, 2019, the flight team at Grand Sky took control and executed a series of flight maneuvers to demonstrate operational performance of the Transportable Operations Center in its Grand Sky Mission Control Center. The in-flight test control operation is a first for the Grand Sky facility which was opened in April 2017.

“The ability to conduct flight operations shows the capability of the Grand Sky team to provide full command and control from our facility. In the near future, we expect to provide full flight test capability to support our government and commercial customers,” said Kristen Griffin, strategy director, autonomous systems, Northrop Grumman. “The important work performed at Grand Sky supports the evolving needs of our customers while advancing research and development of our autonomous systems capabilities for today and the future.”

The flight took off and landed at NASA’s AFRC at Edwards Air Force Base where the remainder of the flight was controlled. NASA and Northrop Grumman are partnered under an agreement which allows for use of the NASA Global Hawk system to explore new mission capabilities.

The Grand Sky facility is dedicated to fostering autonomous systems and other capabilities at the Grand Sky Unmanned Aerial Systems Business and Aviation Park. The facility serves as a nucleus for research and development, pilot, operator and maintainer training along with operations and mission analysis, and aircraft maintenance.

The company is building a hangar adjoining the facility to take advantage of Grand Sky’s access to the adjacent Grand Forks Air Force Base, home to the RQ-4 Global Hawk high altitude, long endurance autonomous aircraft.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

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Air Force’s BACN Receives AFA Innovation Award

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 12:00:00 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. – July 8, 2019 – The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), developed, operated and maintained by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) for the U.S. Air Force, has been honored as an innovative mission-enabling system by the Air Force Association (AFA).

With new hardware and software capabilities in development, the BACN system — shown here aboard a BACN EQ-4B Global Hawk — is well equipped to provide resilient communications to the warfighter into its second decade of deployment. (Photo credit: Alan Radecki, Northrop Grumman)

AFA’s Martin H. Harris Chapter presented the Innovative Solution Enabling Airmen and their Worldwide Mission award during AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida, March 1.

BACN is often described as ‘Wi-Fi in the sky.” The BACN system is a high-altitude, airborne gateway that translates and distributes voice communications, video, imagery and other battle space information from numerous sources. Using a suite of computers and radio systems, it bridges and extends communications among disparate users and different datalink networks to provide situational awareness and enable better command and control coordination between warfighters and commanders.

“BACN has made a tremendous difference in mission success for our warfighters,” said Roshan Roeder, vice president, communications systems, Northrop Grumman. “The accolades BACN has received over the past decade are testament to the critical capabilities BACN provides and the contributions this innovative system has made to increased readiness and mission effectiveness.”

As part of the ceremony, the Martin H. Harris Chapter recognized the company’s contributions by designating Northrop Grumman with a Presentation Fellowship. The AFA Aerospace Education Fellowship program provides a way for AFA chapters to honor and recognize significant contributions while funding and expanding AFA's education programs.

The BACN fleet comprises four E-11A manned systems and four Northrop Grumman EQ-4B Block 20 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft systems. Since the BACN system was deployed in 2008, it has delivered near 24/7 coverage in theater and maintained a payload availability rate of greater than 98 percent.

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Global Hawk Achieves Historic First at Avalon 2019

Faith Jennings — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 21:30:00 GMT

For the first time, Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk autonomous aircraft system has landed during an airshow.

From starting out as a speck in the sky, the aircraft flew in smoothly, landing precisely on the runway before pausing and then taxiing itself to a point where it was towed to the static display area.

This autonomous system has been supporting the U.S. and its allies for nearly two decades around the world. The Block 40 aircraft arrived after a 13-hour, 3,075 nautical mile journey from Andersen Air Force Base.

Global Hawk's important mission is to provide a broad spectrum of data collection capability to support joint combatant forces in worldwide peacetime, contingency, disaster relief and military operations.

With a wingspan of 130 feet – the same as a 737 - Global Hawk provides near-real-time actionable intelligence for more than 30 hours at a time – the unblinking eye in the sky, at altitudes of 60,000 feet or 11 miles high.

There are always several Global Hawk systems in the air somewhere in the world 24 hours a day; 7 days a week; 365 days a year, with flight crews operating the system halfway across the world out of harm’s way.

Welcomed by an excited crowd, this historic first for Global Hawk was made possible due to the support of and partnership with the United States Air Force, in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force and airshow organizers.

Watch the video below or click here to view on Northrop Grumman's YouTube channel.

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Northrop Grumman Providing Training and Sustainment Services to the Republic of Korea’s Fleet of Global Hawks

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT

HERNDON, Va. – Nov. 14, 2018 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has signed a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to provide contractor logistics support (CLS) to the Republic of Korea’s high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (HUAV) fleet.

The support for DAPA and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) include: timely site activation in South Korea; complete training packages for pilots, operators and maintainers of the system; and a team of subject matter experts to provide seamless on-site and reach-back CLS support.

“Northrop Grumman will build on our successful support of the U.S. Air Force’s Global Hawk and U.S. Navy’s Triton heritage to provide high-quality sustainment support to the ROK HUAV fleet,” said John Parker, vice president, global logistics and modernization, Northrop Grumman Technology Services. “By leveraging our proven performance with the U.S. fleet and the introduction of systems to other global operators, we offer DAPA and the ROKAF a high-quality, low-risk, responsive services package.”

“Northrop Grumman is honored to have the opportunity to work with DAPA on the HUAV CLS program,” said Dong Ha, chief executive, Northrop Grumman South Korea. “We look forward to forming a long-term partnership on this important HUAV sustainment program that will help ensure the safety and security of the Republic of Korea.”

The Global Hawk system is building on its heritage of innovation, modernizing its current capabilities by integrating new technologies that enhance capabilities, performance and reliability. In active operation with the U.S. Air Force since 2001, Global Hawk has amassed more than 250,000 flight hours with missions flown in support of military and humanitarian operations. With the ability to fly at high altitudes for greater than 30 hours, Global Hawk is designed to gather near-real-time, high-resolution imagery of large areas of land in all types of weather – day or night. Global Hawk is also a multiple winner of the prestigious Roche Sustainment Excellence Award, which is a testament to the program’s ability to reduce significant costs while driving performance well beyond specified values.

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BACN Enters Its Second Decade in Theater Reaching Program Milestones, with New Capabilities on the Horizon

Sharon Broomall — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 17:30:00 GMT

Northrop Grumman’s Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) has been one of the Defense Department’s most enduring capabilities, delivering interoperable voice and data communications between boots on the ground and pilots in the sky since 2008.

As BACN enters its second decade of near-24/7 service to U.S. and coalition warfighters, the program continues to achieve significant milestones as it evolves to an even more powerful warfighting tool.

On April 3, Northrop Grumman delivered a new BACN-equipped Global Hawk to the fleet. In recent months, the BACN team also has been standing up new BACN field sites, helping the U.S. Air Force set new BACN mission flight records, and improving software to provide more resilient communications for BACN, the system that offers critical voice bridging and data-forwarding capabilities to U.S. and coalition forces in challenging terrain.

“BACN continues to prove that it is essential to our warfighters,” said Jeannie Hilger, vice president of Northrop Grumman’s communications business.

The BACN system consists of an airborne payload of equipment and processors that accomplishes three goals: it extends line-of-sight communications, it translates communications between equipment that speaks different “languages,” and it provides a common battle picture for commanders, ground forces, fighter jets and other mission assets.

The latest delivery of a BACN-equipped EQ-4B to the Air Force increases the BACN EQ-4B fleet to provide additional communications orbit coverage and to ensure coverage in the event of unplanned aircraft maintenance, Hilger said. The EQ-4Bs, along with four E-11A executive jets, provide near-24/7 coverage in several critical theaters of operation.

In February, another major milestone was reached as an EQ-4B in the BACN Global Hawk fleet touched down from an operational mission after exceeding 20,000 flight hours. This accomplishment is significant in that it represents the most hours flown by any aircraft in the Global Hawk fleet — exceeding the original expected life span of the aircraft — and Air Force pilots said they looked forward to flying the aircraft 20,000 more. The glassy air at the high cruising altitude of the EQ-4B, along with the smooth autonomous landings of the craft, give EQ-4B airframes a long structural life, enabling BACN missions to fly well into the future.

In San Diego, Northrop Grumman engineers are developing improvements to further harden the BACN system against interference, update compliance to the latest military standards, and add new capabilities.

The company is standing up new field sites overseas and demobilizing others as the military moves to meet evolving threats and changing priorities and missions. The effort requires significant planning, site surveying, and logistics coordination to get the right equipment to the right place at the right time.

For 10 years, Northrop Grumman’s BACN system has provided lifesaving connectivity, giving near-continuous communication services to our warfighters in multiple theaters. With the delivery of an additional BACN-equipped Global Hawk, the development of vital new capabilities, and a deployed operations team ensuring exceptional system availability, BACN is poised to continue its critical role in delivering effective battlefield communications for decades to come.

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Northrop Grumman Delivers BACN-Equipped Global Hawk to Air Force

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 17:15:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO – July 19, 2018 – Earlier this year, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) delivered a Global Hawk autonomous aircraft carrying the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) to the U.S. Air Force fleet. BACN -- also developed by Northrop Grumman -- is a high-altitude, airborne gateway that translates and distributes voice communications, and other battlespace information from numerous sources.

BACN bridges the gaps between those systems and extends communications among disparate users and networks to provide improved situational awareness.

BACN has completed more than 10,000 combat missions connecting warfighters in the air and on the ground.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

The Northrop Grumman EQ-4B Global Hawk autonomous aircraft on its first flight after being converted to carry the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) on February 16, 2018. The successful first flight over Southern California led to the delivery of the aircraft to the U.S. Air Force.

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Northrop Grumman Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Global Hawk’s First Flight

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 16:15:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO - Feb. 28, 2018 – Today, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first flight of its autonomous Global Hawk high altitude long endurance aircraft. The Global Hawk System remains on duty around the world and is one of the premier providers of persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information supporting the United States and its allies.

The first Global Hawk aircraft, named Air Vehicle 1, or AV-1, was built by Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical at the Ryan factory near San Diego’s Lindbergh Field. Northrop Grumman would acquire Teledyne Ryan in 1999.

On a clear and calm morning, Feb. 28, 1998, AV-1 taxied itself to its take-off position at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The aircraft was all white, except for its U.S. Air Force markings and sported a unicorn-like mast out of the front of its nose. Ryan pilot Mike Munski, in the ground control station nearby, clicked the take-off button on his control console and AV-1 took off into the desert sky. After a 56 minute flight, the first Global Hawk landed safely and stopped itself on the runway, just six inches off the painted centerline.

First flight of the Global Hawk aircraft on February 28, 1998. The aircraft took off from Edwards Air Force Base for a 56 minute flight that reached an altitude of 32,000 feet. The aircraft landed safely and stopped itself on the runway, just six inches off the painted centerline.

The first Global Hawk aircraft were in the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program, sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA is responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military.

“Those of us in the Global Hawk program today owe a great deal of gratitude to those who developed the first Global Hawk and helped create this weapons system that is so vital to serving our nation and its allies,” said Lauren Stevens, vice president and program manager, Global Hawk program, Northrop Grumman. “AV-1 and the Global Hawk Program have shaped aviation history and some of those Ryan employees who worked on AV-1 are still on the program today working to increase the system’s capabilities and continue to defy expectations.”

The Global Hawk system is building on its heritage of innovation, modernizing its current capabilities by integrating new technologies that enhance capabilities, performance and reliability. In active operation with the U.S. Air Force since 2001, Global Hawk has amassed more than 250,000 flight hours with missions flown in support of military and humanitarian operations. Able to fly at high altitudes for greater than 30 hours, Global Hawk is designed to gather near-real-time, high-resolution imagery of large areas of land in all types of weather – day or night.

Air-vehicle 1 or AV-1 on the runway at Edwards Air Force Base just after completing its first ever flight on February 28, 1998. The Global Hawk System remains on duty around the world and is one of the premier providers of persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information supporting the United States and its allies.

The high altitude, long endurance Global Hawk aircraft, iIn active operation with the U.S. Air Force since 2001, has amassed more than 250,000 flight hours with missions flown in support of military and humanitarian operations.

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Northrop Grumman to Highlight Leading Global Security Capabilities at Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2017

Sun, 15 Oct 2017 22:00:00 GMT

Seoul ADEX 2017 to be held at Seoul Airport, Oct. 17-22

Northrop Grumman to exhibit in booth A61

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Oct. 15, 2017 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will highlight its advanced global security capabilities at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2017 (Seoul ADEX 2017) in South Korea.

A media kit accompanying this release is available at: http://www.northropgrumman.com/MediaResources/MediaKits/ADEX/

Dedicated to innovation and delivering a decisive advantage to modern warfighters, Northrop Grumman offers groundbreaking options for autonomous systems, C4ISR, logistics, and multi-generation fighter interoperability and communications. In addition to product displays, company representatives and subject matter experts will be available to engage the media on these topics.

Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk and Fire Scout aircraft provide a powerful combination of autonomous systems with the capacity to advance South Korea’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities while protecting regional interests and national security. Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk autonomous high altitude long endurance system supports intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and environmental research operations around the globe. The MQ-8C Fire Scout is the Navy’s next generation autonomous helicopter. Fire Scout has the ability to take-off and land on any aviation-capable ship and from prepared and unprepared landing zones. Fire Scout is actively deployed with the United States Navy providing enhanced maritime surveillance and persistent targeting capabilities.

The company provides superior C4ISR capability, battlefield awareness and situational understanding through manned and unmanned platforms integrated by new, open architecture C4 systems, including Integrated Battle Management Systems (IBMS) and Remote Unmanned Ground Vehicles like Andros FX. IBMS are scalable from strategic to tactical, while supporting communications with joint and coalition forces. The Andros FX provides unmatched capabilities to defeat many threats, including vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.

Northrop Grumman’s logistics sustainment and modernization solutions improve lifecycle affordability and have the potential to increase mission readiness for the Republic of Korea. Options include: UH-60 Black Hawk rotary wing avionics upgrades / Improved Multiple Ejector Rack and C-130 Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) upgrades. Northrop Grumman is the premiere digital cockpit supplier and integrator for UH-60V upgrade programs, which extend life and mission capabilities. The IRCM system equips C-130 aircraft with the ability to detect and defeat heat-seeking missiles, including surface-to-air missiles.

The company provides airborne gateways for enhanced communications and greater situational awareness, with products like the Freedom 550^TM software-defined radio and APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The Freedom 550 bridges the gap between multiple platforms using different data links, allowing fifth-generation aircraft to share tactical data securely with each other and with fourth-generation aircraft in the fleet. The APG-81 AESA radar enables pilots to effectively engage air and ground targets at long range, while also providing outstanding situational awareness for enhanced survivability and combat effectiveness.

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Northrop Grumman’s BACN Completes 10,000 Combat Missions

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 15:45:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO –March 23, 2017 – The Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN), developed, operated, and maintained by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) for the U.S. Air Force, has completed 10,000 combat missions connecting warfighters in the air and on the ground.

BACN is a high-altitude, airborne gateway that translates and distributes voice communications, video, imagery and other battlespace information from numerous sources. Using a suite of computers and radio systems, BACN bridges and extends communications among disparate users and different datalink networks to provide situational awareness and enable better command and control coordination between warfighters and commanders.

The BACN fleet comprises four E-11A manned systems and three Northrop Grumman EQ-4B Block 20 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft systems. BACN supports missions executed in Southwest Asia and reached the 10,000 combat mission milestone, March 6, 2017.

“This is a significant milestone as the BACN system continues to demonstrate it is absolutely indispensable to our warfighters in the execution of their missions. Airborne Gateways greatly increase situational awareness and command and control, capabilities that are equally critical for joint and coalition operations,” said Jeannie Hilger, vice president, communications business, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.

The persistent connectivity BACN provides is used to successfully execute a number of missions, including airdrops and overall air operations. The system's beyond-line-of-sight capability has been particularly useful overcoming the communications limitations posed by Afghanistan's rugged terrain.

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for developing, deploying, operating and sustaining BACN in support of U.S. Central Command. Northrop Grumman maintains the BACN E-11A aircraft platforms; the U.S. Air Force maintains the EQ-4B Global Hawk platforms.

Northrop Grumman was awarded the first BACN contract in April 2005 by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (previously the Air Force Electronics Systems Center), Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Since the system was deployed in 2008, it has delivered near 24/7 coverage in theater and maintained a payload availability rate of greater than 98 percent.

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Northrop Grumman Begins Flight Tests of the MS-177 Multi-Spectral Sensor on RQ-4 Global Hawk

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO, March 1, 2017 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has begun flight testing of the MS-177 sensor payload with a successful inaugural flight on an RQ-4 Global Hawk high altitude long endurance autonomous aircraft system. The flight tests mark the first time the sensor has been flown on a high altitude long-range autonomous aircraft and extend the mission capabilities of the system. The MS-177 sensor is designed to provide capabilities to not only "find" targets using broad area search and different sensing technologies, but to also fix, track, and assess targets through its agility and multiple sensing modalities.

The MS-177 testing is expected to continue through the first half of 2017. The successful flight test at Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, California facility follows the demonstrations of two sensors previously unavailable on the Global Hawk. Northrop Grumman successfully flew a SYERS-2 intelligence gathering sensor in February 2016 and has recently completed flight tests of the Optical Bar Camera.

“The MS-177 is the new benchmark in imaging intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance [ISR] sensors and its integration into the Global Hawk platform expands the mission capability we can provide,” said Mick Jaggers, vice president and program manager, Global Hawk program, Northrop Grumman. “This successful flight is another milestone in an aggressive effort to demonstrate Global Hawk’s versatility and effectiveness in carrying a variety of sensor payloads and support establishing OMS compliancy.”

Northrop Grumman has begun flight testing of the MS-177 sensor payload with a successful inaugural flight on an RQ-4 Global Hawk high altitude long endurance autonomous aircraft system.

The Global Hawk system is the premier provider of persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information. Able to fly at high altitudes for greater than 30 hours, Global Hawk is designed to gather near-real-time, high-resolution imagery of large areas of land in all types of weather – day or night. In active operation with the U.S. Air Force since 2001, Global Hawk has amassed more than 200,000 flight hours with missions flown in support of military and humanitarian operations.

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Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk System Marks 15 years of Supporting Warfighters

Thu, 17 Nov 2016 11:00:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO - Nov. 17, 2016 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE:NOC) Global Hawk unmanned high altitude long endurance system will mark the 15th anniversary of supporting United States Air Force (USAF) combat operations. On Nov. 20, 2001, a Global Hawk took to the skies in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Since that initial flight, Global Hawk has supported the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance needs of our nation.

Originally designed to support the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency evaluation of high altitude, long endurance aircraft, the Global Hawk demonstrator first flew Feb. 28, 1998. Development continued through 2001 when a Global Hawk system flew a historic mission from Edwards Air Force Base, California to Royal Australian Air Force Base, Edinburgh, Australia – the first time an unmanned system had crossed the Pacific Ocean nonstop. This historic trans-Pacific flight would become the norm when the Global Hawk system, while still officially in development, was deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

“Global Hawk went to war soon after the tragic events of 9/11 and has never come home,” said Mick Jaggers, vice president and program manager, Global Hawk program, Northrop Grumman. “We are incredibly proud of Global Hawk’s legacy of service to the United States Air Force and are grateful to the hundreds of men and women who have helped make Global Hawk the pre-eminent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform in the world.”

The Global Hawk landed in the Middle East in November and in less than 10 days was prepared for a mission to support warfighters on the ground.

Northrop Grumman employees were forward-deployed, too, working alongside their USAF counterparts to get Global Hawk in the air and keep it flying to provide critical pre-strike and post-strike data necessary for effective combat operations. The team was led by Avis Anderson, now Northrop Grumman’s Director of Global Logistics and Operations.

“Certainly there was a fear of the unknown, going into a strange place and not knowing what you would encounter; nobody wants to go to a war," said Anderson who volunteered to lead the small team of contractors. "But we had to go. The Air Force needed the system experts. The team did a great job and the system performed remarkably well."

“15 years later we salute the teams that answered our nation’s call and transformed a cutting-edge developmental system into a highly-successful operational ISR asset,” continued Jaggers. “We are inspired by their success and we carry forward that spirit of innovation, teamwork and dedication that sets the standard for high altitude ISR.”

The Global Hawk system is building on its heritage of innovation, modernizing its current capabilities by integrating new technologies that enhance capabilities, performance and reliability. Earlier this year, Global Hawk successfully flew a SYERS-2 intelligence gathering sensor and the Optical Bar Camera broad-area synoptic sensor, both USAF legacy sensors. Northrop Grumman plans to fly an MS-177 multi-spectral sensor on a Global Hawk later this year.

In July, the system surpassed 200,000 flight hours. The U.S. Air Force’s Global Hawks logged 88 percent of those flight hours with the remaining hours flown by NASA Global Hawks, Germany’s Full Scale Demonstrator and the Navy’s broad area maritime surveillance aircraft systems.

On Nov. 20, 2001, a Global Hawk took to the skies in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Since that initial flight, Global Hawk has supported the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance needs of our nation.

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Northrop Grumman Successfully Flies Optical Bar Camera on RQ-4 Global Hawk

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 14:31:00 GMT

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 12, 2016 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) successfully flew an Optical Bar Camera broad-area synoptic sensor on an RQ-4 Global Hawk high altitude long endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS), marking the first time the legacy U.S. Air Force camera has been flown on a high altitude unmanned aircraft. The Optical Bar Camera has provided panoramic and unalterable imagery for the warfighter, allies and governments.

The successful flight is the second of three planned demonstrations of sensors previously unavailable on the Global Hawk. Northrop Grumman successfully flew a SYERS-2 intelligence gathering sensor in February of this year and plans to fly an MS-177 multi-spectral sensor later in 2016.

“The successful flight of the Optical Bar Camera is another significant step in the evolution of Global Hawk. It’s the result of our focus on increasing capability, reducing sustainment costs and fielding the open mission systems architecture that enables faster integration of cutting edge sensors at lower costs,” said Mick Jaggers, vice president and program manager, Global Hawk program, Northrop Grumman. “We’ve proved that our open mission systems architecture and our universal payload adapter work very well and enable Global Hawk to deliver new multi-mission capabilities to the United States Air Force.”

Payload integration is not new to Global Hawk. NASA has successfully integrated and flown more than 30 different information-gathering payloads on Global Hawk. Existing models of the U.S Air Force Global Hawk are capable of carrying an Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS), Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP) and Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP).

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