USAF Global Hawks Get New Sensors
Northrop Grumman Corporation has delivered a pair of sensors to enhance
the capability of its Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance autonomous
aircraft system. Enhancements include the deployment of the MS-177
multi-spectral camera system to provide additional high resolution
imaging capability for operational users.
The second new capability is the first fielding of
the increment 1 upgraded AN/ASQ-230 system on Global Hawk to meet expanded
electronic threats.
The MS-177 camera system provides multiple
channels of intelligence collection in visible and infrared bands and provides
a dramatic increase in multi-spectral imaging capacity. When paired with a
Global Hawk platform, the MS-177 provides collection coverage in areas that
cannot easily be reached by other means. Fielding of the AN/ASQ-230 increment 1
enhances Global Hawk’s support against electronic threats.
“Ongoing improvements to Global Hawk underscore
Northrop Grumman’s commitment to the United States Air Force’s ISR mission and
reducing costs through agile development and leveraged solutions,” said Leslie
Smith, vice president, Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman. “New and improved
payloads flying on our young, yet proven fleet of aircraft will allow our
partners to deploy high value, networked assets to monitor adversaries while
not risking the lives of military personnel well into the 2040s.”
Global Hawk’s combination of autonomy, range,
endurance and payload, and an average aircraft age of under nine years, make
Global Hawk a valuable asset for domestic and international customers with
critical ISR collection requirements. The Center for Strategic and Budgetary
Assessments recently published a report highlighting the key role systems like
Global Hawk play around the globe.
In the future, Global Hawk is uniquely positioned
for additional missions that connect the joint force as one, including
persistent high capacity backbone, pseudo-satellite communications coverage,
and joint all-domain command and control.
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