NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA Global Hawk No. 872 flies in restricted airspace over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The sixth Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator built under the original Global Hawk development program sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will be used for Earth system science studies.  NASA / Photo Carla Thomas NASA's Dryden Fight Research Center has acquired three developmental-model Northrop Grumman Global Hawk unmanned aircraft from the U.S. Air Force for use in high-altitude, long-duration Earth science missions. These autonomously flown aircraft are the first, sixth and seventh aircraft built under the original Global Hawk Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator development program sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

The ability of the Global Hawk to autonomously fly long distances, remain aloft for extended periods of time and carry large payloads brings a new capability to the science community for measuring, monitoring and observing remote locations of Earth not feasible or practical with piloted aircraft, most other robotic or remotely operated aircraft or space satellites.

The aircraft’s 11,000-nautical-mile range and 30-hour endurance, together with satellite and line-of-site communication links to the ground control station, allow for eventual worldwide operation. Dedicated satellite communication links provide researchers with direct access to their onboard instrument packages during missions. Researchers have the ability to monitor instrument function from the ground control station and evaluate selected data in real time.

The payload operations room of the Global Hawk Operations Center at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center is staffed for a taxi test. The agency's autonomously flown Global Hawks are based at NASA Dryden, located on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.   NASA / Photo Tony Landis Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Rancho Bernardo, Calif., and NASA Dryden created a partnership to operate Global Hawk missions from Dryden. NASA and Northrop Grumman share use of the ground control station, maintenance facilities, and the NASA Global Hawk aircraft.

NASA's Science Mission Directorate is supporting initial NASA research activities on the aircraft. The Science Mission Directorate has teamed with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of Energy to investigate unmanned aircraft systems, specifically the Global Hawk, for Earth observation research.

Initial operational capability for Global Hawk science missions from NASA Dryden was achieved in 2010. A portable ground control station is being developed, and when operational, deployments and missions will be possible worldwide.

The 44-foot-long Global Hawk has a wingspan of more than 116 feet, a height of 15 feet, and a gross takeoff weight of 25,600 pounds, including a 2,000-pound payload capability. A single Rolls-Royce AE3007H turbofan engine powers the aircraft. The distinctive V-tail, engine cover, aft fuselage and wing are constructed of graphite composite materials. The center fuselage is constructed of conventional aluminum, while various fairings and radomes feature fiberglass composite construction.