During peacetime, Global Hawk could also be used for coast-watch activities, support to national disaster management, detection of illegal fishing or drug smuggling. Both Australia and the US will benefit from DSTO and RAAF involvement. The United States benefits by testing the system in international operations, and learning from DSTO's and RAAF's knowledge of maritime and littoral surveillance. Both countries benefit by examining ways to improve how their defence forces operate together. Reconnaissance versus Surveillance Reconnaissance is the collection of information via a specific mission, usually conducted over a limited period and directed against specific targets.
Surveillance is the systematic observation of areas, persons or objects by any available sensor.
The original Global Hawk system was geared for reconnaissance. Australia is seeking to improve the system's responsiveness and enhance Global Hawk's capability to conduct surveillance as well as reconnaissance missions. These sensors work together, complement each other and share a common processor. However, the EO sensor is a day sensor only, and both EO and IR are affected by poor weather and their resolution decreases with range. Where Global Hawk will Fly Global Hawk will deploy to Australia from April to June 2001.