Date: 21
April, 2008
Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a US$ 79.4 million contract for Global Hawk Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensors as the first element of the lot 7 production contract. An initial US$ 33.89 million has been obligated to begin procurement of three MP-RTIP sensors.
The sensors will be carried on the RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial system (UAS) currently in production. The first flight with the MP-RTIP sensor is scheduled in early 2009. The Block 40 Global Hawk is also being considered to provide NATO with an organic capability through the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance program.
The Global Hawk system celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first flight last month and has logged more than 21,000 total programme flight hours. As the world's first fully autonomous HALE UAS providing persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the Global Hawk can fly up to 65,000 feet for more than 35 hours and see through any inclement weather at any time.
The MP-RTIP sensor is a modular active electronically scanned array radar system that can be scaled in size for integration into various airborne platforms. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the MP-RTIP and Global Hawk programmes and continues to move these technologies forward under the stewardship of the Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the Electronic Systems Center, located at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.
Northrop Grumman's Norwalk, Conn., facility is the principal MP-RTIP radar developer along with principal subcontractor, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, El Segundo, Calif.
The Global Hawk industry team is comprised of: Aurora Flight Sciences, Bridgeport, West Va. (V-tail assembly and other composite structures); L-3 Communications, Salt Lake City (communication system); Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems, Falls Church, Va. (ground station); Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind. (engine); and Vought Aircraft Industries, Dallas (wing).
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