An RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 40 remotely piloted aircraft recently left Grand Forks AFB, N.D., on the first combat deployment for this Global Hawk variant, according to base officials. “Although Global Hawks have been supporting our warfighters in Afghanistan and elsewhere for more than a decade, this is the first time this specific model has been deployed into war,” said Col. Lawrence Spinetta, commander of Grand Forks’ 69th Reconnaissance Group, which operates Block 40s. The flight took place on Sept. 19, according to Grand Forks’ Nov. 20 release. The Block 40 variant features the MP-RTIP sensor, an electronically scanned array radar that provides synthetic aperture radar imagery and ground moving target indication data. “The Block 40’s GMTI provides a much-needed capability for our troops overseas, allowing them to track vehicular movement of enemy forces in near-real time over large areas, regardless of weather,” said Spinetta. (Grand Forks report by SSgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez) (See also Global Hawk RPA Family Hits 100,000 Flight Hours.)
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
