Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   B-roll of RQ-4 Global Hawk. (U.S. Air Force)
                
                
                View DVIDS Video
        


        An RQ-4 Global Hawk like the one pictured is being used to assist Japan in disaster relief and recovery efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson)An RQ-4 Global Hawk like the one pictured is being used to assist Japan in disaster relief and recovery efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        A U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle waits for its takeoff timeA U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle waits for its takeoff time before its first launch from an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Nov. 27, 2010. The RQ-4 carries the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node which acts as a persistent gateway, bridging diverse tactical data links and voice communications to improve battlefield communications.
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        An RQ-4 Global Hawk soars through the sky to record intelligence, surveillence and reconnaissance data. Air Force and Navy officials met to discuss joint training with the RQ-4. (Courtesy photo)An RQ-4 Global Hawk soars through the sky to record intelligence, surveillence and reconnaissance data. Air Force and Navy officials met to discuss joint training with the RQ-4. (Courtesy photo)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        An RQ-4 Global Hawk from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam lands at Misawa Air BaseAn RQ-4 Global Hawk from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam lands at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 24, 2014. The remotely piloted system supports U.S. intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions and contingency operations throughout the Pacific theater. The Global Hawk will be temporarily assigned to Misawa AB until October. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
 RQ-4 Global Hawk**Mission**
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with an integrated sensor suite that provides global all-weather, day or night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. Global Hawk's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of ISR collection capability to support joint combatant forces in worldwide peacetime, contingency and wartime operations. The Global Hawk provides persistent near-real-time coverage using imagery intelligence (IMINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT) and moving target indicator (MTI) sensors. **Features**
Global Hawk is currently fielded in three distinct blocks. Seven Block 10 aircraft were procured, but were retired from the Air Force inventory in 2011. Block 20s were initially fielded with IMINT-only capabilities, but three Block 20s have been converted to an EQ-4 communication relay configuration, carrying the Battlefield Airborne Communication Node (BACN) payload. Block 30 is a multi-intelligence platform that simultaneously carries electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and high and low band SIGINT sensors. Block 30 Initial Operating Capability (IOC) was declared in August 2011. Eighteen Block 30s are currently fielded, supporting every geographic combatant command as well as combat missions in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom/ New Dawn. Block 30s also supported Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya and humanitarian relief efforts during Operation Tomodachi in Japan. Block 40 carries the Radar Technology Insertion Program (RTIP) active electronically scanned array radar which provides MTI and SAR data. Block 40 Early Operating Capability (EOC) was declared in Sep 2013 and eleven Block 40s are currently fielded, supporting operations in four combatant commands.  IOC is projected in 2015. 
Global Hawk is flown by a Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) and a Mission Control Element (MCE). The LRE is located at the aircraft base and functions to launch and recover the aircraft while en route to and from the target area. The MCE controls the Global Hawk for the bulk of the ISR mission. Like the LRE, the MCE is manned by one pilot, but adds a sensor operator to the crew. Command and control data links enable complete dynamic control of the aircraft. The pilot workstations in the MCE and LRE are the control and display interface (cockpit) providing aircraft health and status, sensors status and a means to alter the navigational track of the aircraft. From this station, the pilot also communicates with outside entities to coordinate the mission (air traffic control, airborne controllers, ground controllers, other ISR assets). 
The sensor operator workstation provides capability to task the sensor, dynamically update the collection plan in real time, initiate sensor calibration and monitor sensor status. The sensor operator also assists the exploitation node with image quality control, target deck prioritization and scene tracking to ensure fluid operations.
The system offers a wide variety of employment options. The unmatched range and 30+ hour endurance allow tremendous flexibility in meeting mission requirements.  In 2014, an RQ-4 Block 40 flew a 34.3 hour flight, setting the endurance record for longest unrefueled flight by a U.S. Air Force aircraft.

An RQ-4 Global Hawk takes offAn RQ-4 Global Hawk takes off Oct. 24, 2018, at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. The aircraft can reach altitudes of 60,000 feet and stay airborne for more than30 hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ramon A. Adelan)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    An RQ-4 Global Hawk speeds down the runway for takeoffAn RQ-4 Global Hawk speeds down the runway for takeoff Oct. 24, 2018, at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with an integrated sensor suite that provides global all-weather, day or night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ramon A. Adelan)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    An RQ-4 Global Hawk takes off Oct. 7, 2010, from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. This was its first take-off since its arrival Sept. 20, 2010 and it's the only permanently stationed aircraft on Andersen AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson)An RQ-4 Global Hawk takes off Oct. 7, 2010, from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. This was its first take-off since its arrival Sept. 20, 2010 and it's the only permanently stationed aircraft on Andersen AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nichelle Anderson)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res


**Background** 
Global Hawk began as an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration in 1995. The system was determined to have military utility and provide warfighters with an evolutionary high-altitude, long-endurance ISR capability.  The Global Hawk has been deployed operationally to support overseas contingency operations since November 2001. 
In the RQ-4 name, the "R" is the Department of Defense designation for reconnaissance and "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "4" refers to the series of purpose-built remotely piloted aircraft systems. The "E" in EQ-4 delineates the communication configuration of the BACN equipped aircraft.
The Global Hawk is operated by the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, California, and the 348th Reconnaissance Squadron at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota, but aircraft are rotated to operational detachments worldwide. The 1st RS at Beale AFB provides formal training for all RQ-4 pilots and Block 30 sensor operators, while the 348 RS formal training unit (FTU) at Grand Forks AFB provides training for all Block 40 sensor operators.**General Characteristics****Primary function:** high-altitude, long-endurance ISR**Contractor:** Northrop Grumman (Prime), Raytheon, L3 Comm **Power Plant:**Rolls Royce-North American F137-RR-100 turbofan engine**Thrust:**7,600 pounds **Wingspan:**130.9 feet (39.8 meters) **Length:** 47.6 feet (14.5 meters) **Height:** 15.3 feet (4.7 meters) **Weight:** 14,950 pounds (6,781 kilograms) **Maximum takeoff weight:**32,250 pounds (14628 kilograms) **Fuel Capacity:**17,300 pounds (7847 kilograms)**Payload:** 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms) **Speed:** 310 knots (357 mph) **Range:**12,300 nautical miles **Endurance:**  more than 34 hours**Ceiling:** 60,000 feet (18,288 meters) **Armament:**None**Crew (remote):** three (LRE pilot, MCE pilot, and sensor operator) **Initial operating capability:** 2011 (Block 30); 2015 (Block 40)**Inventory:**active force, 33 (three more Block 30s purchased, to be fielded in 2017)
(Current as of October 2014)
   MORE FACT SHEETS
        Aircraft
        AC-130J Ghostrider
                    
                    AC-130J Ghostrider
                
                AC-130W Stinger II
                    
                    AC-130W Stinger II
                
                C-32
                    
                    C-32
                
                CV22
                    
                    CV-22 Osprey
                
                C-40C
                    
                    C-40B/C
                
                A U.S. Air Force C-37 taxis after landing
                    
                    C-37A/B
                
                C-130 Hercules
                    
                    C-130 Hercules
        RSS
    
    Major Commands
        Air Force Special Operations Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Force Special Operations Command
                
                Air Force Global Strike Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Force Global Strike Command
                
                Air Combat Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Combat Command
                
                Air Force Materiel Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Force Materiel Command
                
                Air Education and Training Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Education and Training Command
                
                Air Mobility Command Rotator
                    
                    Air Mobility Command
        RSS
    
    Weapons
        The Air Force Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS), also referred to as the AN/GSQ-272 SENTINEL weapon system, is the Air Force’s primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) collection, processing, exploitation, analysis and dissemination (CPAD) system. 
(U.S. Air Force photo)
                    
                    Air Force Distributed Common Ground System
                
                The LGM-30G Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is an element of the nation’s strategic deterrent forces. The "L" in LGM is the Department of Defense designation for silo-launched; "G" means surface attack; and "M" stands for guided missile.
                    
                    LGM-30G Minuteman III
                
                Sniper Pod
                    
                    Sniper Pod
                
                030328-F-JZ000-055.JPG
                    
                    LITENING ADVANCE TARGETING
                
                Guardian Angel
                
                Massive Ordnance Penetrator
                
                The AN/ASQ-236 Radar Pod contains synthetic aperture radar that provides detailed maps for surveillance, coordinate generation and bomb impact assessment purposes.  It will be operational on the F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)
                    
                    AN/ASQ-236 Radar Pod
        RSS  Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil