Date: 07 June, 2005
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. has announced that it has successfully tested (to 100% limit load) its first enhanced wing for the US Air Force's new RQ-4B Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle (UAV) produced by Northrop Grumman. This testing, which is similar to ones conducted previously on the RQ-4A configuration, is designed to simulate forces experienced due to specific ‘gust load’ winds during a mission. The enhanced wing is one of a number of system improvements that prime contractor Northrop Grumman is making to Global Hawk to accommodate an increased payload- carrying capability whilst maintaining current platform performance specifications. Vought's work scope includes design development, fabrication, assembly and structural testing of the new wing. The company is currently scheduled to build seven production wings for the new RQ-4B model, with options for future production lots of the new wing configuration. Vought has built two RQ-4B prototype wings and is producing another article for testing ultimate loads. For the RQ-4A model, Vought built two prototype and nine production wings under its Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract with Northrop Grumman. Global Hawk has completed more than 200 missions and logged over 4,000 flight hours in the Global War on Terrorism. It began flying missions over Afghanistan in 2001, playing a key role in supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The new RQ-4B wing is 130.9 feet long and weighs about 4,000 pounds. It will be the longest wing ever delivered from Vought's Dallas facility.
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