New Global Hawk UAV model arrives at Beale

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christine Collier
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (ACCNS) --  Beale added a new Global Hawk to its flock June 30, with the arrival of a Block 20 model of the RQ-4 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Block 20 is the first of its kind assigned to the base.
"This is an exciting step for Beale, and the RQ-4 program," said Brig. Gen. Bob Otto, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander. "The Block 20 Global Hawk provides additional payload capacity and loiter-time that will enable us to support those in harm's way more effectively."

Global Hawks, designed and manufactured by Northrop-Grumman, provide Air Force and joint battlefield commanders near-real-time, high-resolution, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance imagery to assist ground troops.
"A distinctive aspect of the Global Hawk is that it can be flown anywhere in the world by pilots here at Beale Air Force Base," said Maj. Randall Sechler, chief of RQ-4 operations. "Our pilots are flying missions in Iraq daily, but they're doing it from the Beale flightline." 

Beale's Global Hawks also assisted with the Southern California wildfires in 2007 by using thermal imagery to locate hot spots where fires were still burning. Sensors then conveyed the coordinates to ground crews, which allowed firefighters to navigate to the area and put out the flames. 

"The Global Hawk and all UAVs are on the leading edge of new technology," said Master Sgt. Paul Brophy, 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron specialist section chief. "The Block 20 is simply an improvement on the Block 10 airframe that is already a proven asset as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance weapons system. This airframe may not physically deliver weapons on the enemy, but the Global Hawk does often perform as the 'eyes' of a loitering fighter." 

The Block 20 Global Hawk joins the seven Block 10 models already assigned to Beale. It's slightly larger appearance will set it apart, as a bigger airframe is one of the most obvious upgrades on the new model. The wingspan has also increased by close to 15 feet, going from about 116 feet to almost 131 feet.
"The wings' expansion, along with an improved generator, will improve the aircraft's payload capacity, lift and flight characteristics," Sergeant Brophy said. "The Block 20 has an F-18 generator, which has increased the payload capacity from 2,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds. This generator is a redundant generator that provides up to a 150 percent increase in electrical power over the Block 10." 

This increase in power will allow for the addition of new sensor capabilities, as well as an improvement on current sensor packages, Sergeant Brophy said.
Block 10 models are configured with a basic integrated sensor suite with an electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar payload and limited signals intelligence. The upgraded sensor package on the Block 20 models includes an enhanced integrated sensor suite with EO, IR, and SAR sensors and limited SIGINT for longer-range capability. 

"The Block 20 represents a significant increase in capability over the Block 10 configuration," said Gemma Loochkartt, a Northrop-Grumman representative. "Its open-system architecture, a so-called "plug-and-play" environment, can accommodate new sensors and communication systems as they are developed to help military customers quickly evaluate and adopt new technologies."

The Block 20 model is the second generation in the Global Hawk production line. Northrop-Grumman is also currently producing Block 30 and Block 40 models, which are scheduled to be fielded in 2011.

"The third and fourth generation aircraft will contain even more robust multi-intelligence systems," Ms. Loochkartt said.