UAV / UCAV
RQ-4 Global Hawk
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is an unarmed high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) reconnaissance drone built by Northrop Grumman. Flying at up to 60,000 ft for more than 34 hours, it carries radar, optical and signals-intelligence sensors and serves the US Air Force, South Korea and Japan.
United States|Northrop GrummanOverview
The Global Hawk first flew on 28 February 1998 and was used operationally over Afghanistan from 2001, before full-rate production. The larger RQ-4B has a 39.9 m wingspan and a single Rolls-Royce F137 turbofan on top of the rear fuselage, and can carry 1,360 kg of sensors. Block 30 aircraft use the EISS radar and electro-optical suite plus ASIP signals intelligence, while Block 40 carries the MP-RTIP ground-moving-target radar. The ferry range is about 22,800 km and cruise speed about 570 km/h.
Costs rose far above the original 1990s goal, with flyaway cost quoted at about US$131 million in FY2013. The US Air Force has been retiring its Block 20 and 30 aircraft while keeping Block 40 into the 2030s, depending on budgets. South Korea and Japan fly RQ-4Bs, NATO operates five RQ-4D Phoenix from Sigonella with Türkiye among participating nations, and the US Navy uses the MQ-4C Triton. Iran shot down a US Navy RQ-4A in June 2019, and Global Hawks often flew over the Black Sea around the Ukraine war.
Key Specifications
Variants
RQ-4A Block 10: the original, smaller production version, with a shorter wingspan and lower payload than the RQ-4B.
RQ-4B Block 30/40: the larger-wing version carrying EISS imaging and ASIP signals sensors (Block 30) or the MP-RTIP ground-moving-target radar (Block 40).
MQ-4C Triton: the US Navy’s maritime surveillance derivative, also flown by Australia, which remains in production.
Operators
United States
South Korea
JapanFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a Global Hawk cost?
A Global Hawk’s flyaway cost was quoted at about US$131 million in FY2013, including upgrades, far above the original 1990s target of about US$10 million. Figures vary depending on whether development, sensors and ground stations are included.
Is the RQ-4 Global Hawk armed?
No, the RQ-4 Global Hawk is unarmed. It is a reconnaissance aircraft carrying only sensors, such as imaging radar, electro-optical and infrared cameras and signals-intelligence equipment, and it relies on very high altitude rather than stealth or weapons.
How high can a Global Hawk fly?
The Global Hawk can fly at up to 60,000 ft, about 18,300 m, well above airliner cruising altitudes. It can stay airborne for more than 34 hours, cruises at about 570 km/h and has a ferry range of about 22,800 km.
Which countries have the Global Hawk?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is operated by the United States, South Korea, which has four RQ-4B Block 30s, and Japan, which has three. NATO flies five RQ-4D Phoenix from Sigonella, Italy, and Australia uses the related MQ-4C Triton.
Why did Iran shoot down a Global Hawk?
On 19 June 2019 Iran shot down a US Navy RQ-4A (BAMS-D) near the Strait of Hormuz, saying it had entered Iranian airspace. The United States said the drone was flying in international airspace at the time.
Global Hawk vs MQ-9 Reaper: what is the difference?
The Global Hawk is an unarmed high-altitude reconnaissance drone that flies at up to 60,000 ft for more than 34 hours. The MQ-9 Reaper flies lower and slower but carries missiles and bombs, making it a strike platform rather than a pure surveillance aircraft.