Fixed wings: in the fixed-wing range of unmanned aircraft there are four main sub-categories: the Hales (High Altitude Long Endurance), the Males (Medium Altitude Long Endurance), followed by the tactical drones and the electrically powered lightweights/microlights. However, a new variety is now emerging: the optionally manned.

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Fixed wings: in the fixed-wing range of unmanned aircraft there are four main sub-categories: the Hales (High Altitude Long Endurance), the Males (Medium Altitude Long Endurance), followed by the tactical drones and the electrically powered lightweights/microlights. However, a new variety is now emerging: the optionally manned.

Despite cost concerns the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk continues to lead the High-Altitude, Long Endurance category. The first of seven YRQ-4A developmental aircraft flew in 1998. Four are still flying, of which two have been handed to Nasa-Dryden and one is based in Qatar (together with two of the seven US Air Force Block 10 RQ-4As) for operations over Southeast Asia. Following six Block 20 RQ-4Bs, the US Air Force plans 26 Block 30s with Asip (Advanced Signals Intelligence Payload) and up to 15 Block 40s with the Northrop Grumman/ Raytheon MP-Rtip (Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program) sensor, giving the service a total buy of up to 54 production aircraft.

The Department of Defense-wide/Joint FY2007 budget included $ 448 million for four RQ-4B Block 30s and one Block 40, plus $247.7 million for RDT&E. The Department of Defense wide/Joint FY2008 budget request for the Global Hawk is for $ 577.8 million to produce five RQ-4Bs, plus $ 298.5 million for RDT&E. Congressional concern over a General Accountability Office report giving a programme unit cost of $130.5 million (including RDT&E and ground control stations) has forced the manufacturer to publish its own figures for production cost.

The unequipped Block 20 RQ-4B costs approximately $ 29.4 million; a mission payload of $16.5 million brings unit cost to $ 45.9 million. The Block 30 costs $ 60 million with a $ 32.5 million payload. The Block 40 will cost $ 66.3 million, including a $ 39.0 million load. Operating cost is given as approximately $13,000 per hour.

The long-span RQ-4B takes the payload from 910 to 1360 kg and increases gross take-off weight from 12,110 to 14,628 kg. Unsurprisingly, there is interest in increasing the thrust of the Rolls-Royce AE3007H turbofan above the current 36.9 kN.

Global Hawks are being delivered to the US Air Force 12th Reconnaissance Squadron of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, California, where it operates alongside the Lockheed Martin U-2S that it is scheduled to replace. Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota is to be the second Conus (Continental US) operating location for the drone. The US Air F...

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