The Global Hawk is a strategic long-endurance, high-altitude, “deep look” ISR platform complementing satellite and manned ISR.
The system consists of the aircraft and sensors, launch and recovery element (LRE), mission control element (MCE), and comms/ mission planning cell.
The preproduction Block 10 debuted in combat in 2001 and retired in 2011. The follow-on Block 20 was initially equipped with the Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS) for imagery intelligence (IMINT) and five were eventually converted as EQ-4B Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) relays, retired in 2021.
The most numerous Block 30 was a multi-intelligence fleet equipped with EO/IR, SAR, and SIGINT sensors retired in 2022 and subsequently converted to telemetry platforms to support hypersonic weapons testing.
Block 40 is the sole remaining variant and is equipped with the Multiplatform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensor for ground-moving target surveillance. Its AESA and SAR simultaneously conduct moving target and cruise missile tracking, as well as stationary imagery collection.
NATO also operates a pooled fleet of RQ-4Ds based on the Block 40, which declared initial operating capability with the Allied Ground Surveillance fleet in 2021. FY25 funds support Block 40 and Ground Station sustainment through planned retirement in 2027.
RQ-4s deployed to Fairford for the first time on Aug. 22, 2024, operating alongside U-2s supporting operations in the EUCOM area of operations, in addition to testing concepts for Arctic surveillance.
RQ-4 Global Hawk Technical Data
Contractors: Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, L3Harris.
First Flight: Feb. 28, 1998.
Delivered: August 2003-present.
IOC: August 2011 (Block 30); August 2016 (Block 40).
Production: 45 (USAF).
Inventory: 9 (Block 40).
Operator: ACC, AFMC.
Aircraft Location: Beale AFB, Calif. (Block 30); Edwards AFB, Calif.; Grand Forks AFB, N.D. (Block 20/40); forward operating locations: Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait (EQ-4B); Andersen AFB, Guam; NAS Sigonella, Italy; Yokota AB, Japan.
Active Variants: •EQ-4B Block 20. Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) comm relay platform. •RQ-4B Block 30. Multi-intelligence platform equipped with EO/IR and SAR sensors. •RQ-4B Block 40. AESA and SAR equipped ground moving target indication (GMTI) and battlefield ISR platform.
Dimensions: Span 130.9 ft, length 47.6 ft, height 15.3 ft.
Weight: Max T-O 32,250 lb; max payload 3,000 lb.
Power Plant: One Rolls-Royce North American F137-RR-100 turbofan, 7,600 lb thrust.
Performance: Speed 356.5 mph, range 14,150 miles, endurance 32+ hrs (24 hrs on-station loiter at 1,200 miles).
Ceiling: 60,000 ft.
Accommodation: LRE Pilot, MCE pilot, MCE sensor operator (operating from LRE/MCE).
