SAN DIEGO, Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air
Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a
$354 million primarily
firm-fixed-price contract to expand their RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned
aircraft system (UAS) fleet by three aircraft.
Global Hawk operates multiple sensors simultaneously to gather
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data. The new
aircraft are Multi-INT models that carry sophisticated imaging and
electronic signals sensors capable of collecting multiple types of
intelligence from high altitudes for up to 32 hours.
The contract also includes retrofit kits to add Airborne Signals
Intelligence Payload (ASIP) sensors into two of the existing RQ-4,
providing them with Multi-INT capability. ASIP is an advanced ISR
collection sensor also built by Northrop Grumman.
The aircraft will bring the Air Force RQ-4 fleet size to 37 in
2017. The ASIP retrofit kits are scheduled for delivery in late
2016 and in 2017. All RQ-4 UAS fuselages are built at Northrop
Grumman facilities in Moss Point,
Mississippi, with final assembly and acceptance testing is
conducted in Palmdale.
"Northrop Grumman is proud that the RQ-4 Global Hawk has become
an indispensable ISR resource for the Air Force. These new systems
will provide further opportunities to keep our warfighters safe,"
said Mick Jaggers, Global Hawk
program manager, Northrop Grumman.
"Even as Global Hawk flight hours increase each year, we are
striving to reduce the overall operating cost of the system for the
Air Force," Jaggers added. "The Air Force's commitment to putting
more Global Hawks in the air and our dedication to meeting
affordability agreements for production and sustainment ensure that
this vital asset will remain sustainable and viable for many
years."
The different variants of Global Hawk have flown more than
126,000 flight hours supporting diverse global missions. Carrying a
variety of ISR sensor and communications gateway payloads, Global
Hawk supports antiterrorism, antipiracy, humanitarian assistance,
disaster relief, airborne communications relay, information-sharing
and the full range of operational combat 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