RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance ISR aircraft delivering wide-area surveillance and near-real-time imagery for military and civil operations.

# Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk

The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft developed by Northrop Grumman for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) over large regions. Designed for strategic missions, it provides near-real-time, high-resolution imagery and signals collection both day and night under all weather conditions.

Key Features and Advantages

1. Extreme Altitude and Endurance

The Global Hawk operates at altitudes above 60,000 feet, flying for over 30 hours continuously. This allows persistent coverage above weather and conventional air traffic, making it ideal for long-duration surveillance missions.

2. Advanced Multi-Sensor Payloads

Equipped with EO/IR sensors, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), GMTI, and SIGINT systems, the aircraft captures diverse intelligence types. This multi-sensor integration provides a comprehensive view of operational areas for military or civil applications.

3. Wide Area Coverage and Persistence

With a ferry range exceeding 12,000 nautical miles, the Global Hawk can cover vast territories while maintaining persistent monitoring. It supports missions including border security, maritime patrol, disaster management, and strategic intelligence collection.

4. Remote Operations and Communications

The platform is controlled via remote mission control and launch/recovery systems, using SATCOM and LOS links to deliver sensor data in near real time. Autonomous capabilities reduce operator workload while enhancing operational efficiency.

5. Robust Design and Performance

Built for endurance and reliability, it features a wingspan of 39.8 m, length of 14.5 m, and maximum take-off weight of 14,628 kg. The single turbofan engine ensures steady cruise speeds of approx 310 knots, enabling long-range strategic missions.