An RQ-4B Global Hawk operating from an undisclosed base in Southwest Asia surpassed 10,000 flight hours on a March 7 mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The aircraft, known as A2019, was the “first Block 20 and first RQ-4B model to arrive” at the undisclosed base on Oct. 16, 2010, states a release. The Global Hawk, which carries the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, took off March 7 with 9,982.9 hours and landed March 8 after a 30.5-hour flight having surpassed the 10,000 flying hours, states the release. The aircraft also “holds the record for the longest Block 20 flight, which is currently set at 31.5 flying hours,” according to the release.
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.