Developed during the 1990s, the Tier II program was fast-tracked to fruition due to the events of September 11th, 2001. Today, the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 'Global Hawk' serves in the vital Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) role for U.S. forces and its allies. Its high-altitude, turbofan-powered capabilities supply it the range and performance needed to cover swathes of territory from the relative safety of the skies. The RQ-4 platform remains in line to take over duties from the classic, Cold War-era Lockheed U-2 'Dragonlady' and will remain a fixture of American spying capabilities for the foreseeable future.
0(+2) CREW
Speed
391 MPH
Ceiling
59,055 FEET
Range
14,155 MILES
Mission Roles
RECON
UNMANNED
EXPERIMENTAL
Gallery
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
Service Ceiling 59,055 ft | 18,000 m | 11.18 miles
Operational Range 14,155 miles | 22,780 km | 12,300 nm
(Showcased performance statistics pertain to the RQ-4B Block 30/40 production model)
Length 47.57 feet (14.50 meters)
Width 130.91 feet (39.90 meters)
Height 15.42 feet (4.70 meters)
(Showcased measurements pertain to the RQ-4B Block 30/40 production model)
Empty 14,947 lb (6,780 kg)
M.T.O.W. 32,254 lb (14,630 kg)
(Showcased weights pertain to the RQ-4B Block 30/40 production model)
None. Payload limited to mission equipment related to the ISR (Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance) role. Supported Types:
RQ-4 'Global Hawk' - Base Series Designation.
Tier II+ - Developmental Designation.
RQ-4A - Initial production model for USAF; 16 examples completed.
RQ-4B - Second production model; improved form with longer length (47.7 feet) and wider wingspan (130.9 feet); increased payload capability at cost of range.
RQ-4D - NATO operational model.
RQ-4E 'Euro Hawk' - German operational model of 2013; equipped for SIGINT with special reconnaissance systems from EADS.; five examples ordered, single unit received.
RQ-4N - Original designation of MQ-4C 'Triton' maritime patrol model.
MQ-4C 'Triton' - United States Navy maritime patrol model; 68 units planned for procurement.
EQ-4B - Global Hawk equipped with Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) system.
KQ-X - Autonomous tanker developmental system.
Model 396 - RQ-4A-based model by Northrop Grumman/Scaled Composites; armed variant with reduced size by 50%; proposed against General Atomics RQ-9 'Reaper' platform.
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