The Air Force’s Global Hawk UAV has made its first flight with a new sensor that can detect and identify radar and other electronic devices from high altitudes, says Northrop Grumman. The High Band System Production Configuration Unit is a “key subsystem” of the UAV’s new Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload sensor, which should “dramatically increase” signals collection capabilities, states the company. The new sensor is slated to be fully operational in 2008.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
