Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. in San Diego, CA received a $42.5 million contract modification to provide for the completion of development on the Global Hawk RQ-4B (AF-8), including developmental and operational testing. The RQ-4B is a larger version of the extremely successful RQ-4A Global Hawk reconaissance UAV, which has been rushed into service as part of the Global War on Terror.
The RQ-4B may also have maritime surveillance applications, as the U.S. and Australian navies will be testing Global Hawk for this purpose shortly and its larger size would be an asset in that role.
Items provided for in this contract include both operational capabilities and critical infrastructure process activities such as instituting a robust engineering program and planning/preparing for near term depot support and retrofit activities. Solicitation began Mar 2005. The Aeronautical System Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (F33657-01-C-4600, P00099).