BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., April 3,
2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global
Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has completed a series of
ground and air demonstrations at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.,
expanding the adaptability of the Global Hawk system to use an
additional Satellite Communications (SATCOM) link to improve the
transfer of mission data.
At the request of the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command,
Northrop Grumman worked with Air Force partners to demonstrate that
Global Hawk is compatible with different SATCOM architectures with
no changes to the aircraft's hardware, software or payload. Taking
place from Jan. 13-15, the
demonstration highlighted a unique split link capability for Global
Hawk that allows it to send mission data through a satellite link
that is independent of the link used for command and control.
"This powerful demonstration illustrates Global Hawk's unique
versatility," said Alfredo Ramirez,
director and chief architect of Northrop Grumman's HALE Enterprise.
"We're ecstatic with Global Hawk's ability to provide intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance products to operational end-users
via multiple paths."
The combat-proven Global Hawk has logged more than 110,000
flight hours and carries a variety of intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance sensor payloads to allow military commanders to
gather near real-time images and uses radar to detect moving or
stationary targets on the ground or at sea. The system supports
antiterrorism, antipiracy, humanitarian assistance, disaster
relief, airborne communications 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.
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SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation