NASA's Dryden Flight
Research Center and the Northrop Grumman Corporation have reached an
agreement that will enable NASA's Science Mission Directorate to conduct
Earth science research with the Northrop Grumman-developed RQ-4 Global Hawk
unmanned aircraft system.
Under a Space Act Agreement signed April 30, NASA and Northrop Grumman
will bring to flight in 2009 two pre-production Global Hawk aircraft that
were recently transferred to NASA. Northrop Grumman will share in their use
to conduct its own flight demonstrations for expanded markets, missions and
airborne capabilities, including integration of unmanned aircraft systems
into the national airspace.
The two Global Hawk aircraft, among the first seven built during the
original Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency sponsored Advanced
Concept Technology Demonstration program, were transferred to NASA Dryden
from the U.S. Air Force in September 2007. NASA acquired the two aircraft
for research activities supporting its Airborne Science Program.
"This innovative partnership not only provides for the activation of
the Global Hawk flight operations at NASA Dryden, but also sets the stage
for an exciting future of collaborative science missions and technology
experiments," said Kevin L. Petersen, NASA Dryden director. "The
capabilities of this platform are unique and will provide NASA and Northrop
Grumman some exceptional opportunities to advance technology and science
through flight."
As the world's first fully autonomous, high-altitude, long-endurance
unmanned aircraft system, Global Hawk can fly up to 65,000 feet for more
than 31 hours at a time. The aircraft have a range of 11,000 nautical
miles. Its endurance and exceptional range allow for a non-stop flight from
Dryden in Southern California to the North Pole with a seven-hour loiter
period before returning. To date, Global Hawks have flown more than 22,000
hours in military service with the Air Force.
The primary NASA sponsor is the Earth Science Division of the Science
Mission Directorate. The division is developing plans to capitalize on the
extreme range and dwell time of the Global Hawk for atmospheric chemistry
and radiation science missions in addition to hurricane research.
"We are looking forward to working with our National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration and Department of Energy partners to explore the
unique capabilities of the Global Hawk to augment the current satellite and
aircraft based observation systems NASA uses," adds Dr. Michael Freilich,
NASA's Earth Science Division director, NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Global Hawk also has many potential applications in addition to the
advancement of science, including development of disaster support
capabilities and development of advanced unmanned aircraft systems
technologies. In October 2007, Air Force Global Hawks were used to monitor
wildfires in Southern California.
"Global Hawk's range, endurance and altitude make it particularly
suited
to a broad range of applications," said Corey Moore, sector vice
president of Advanced Concepts and Integrated Solutions for Northrop
Grumman. "Access to these two flight test vehicles will allow us to more
fully explore new potential missions for this remarkable system."
The Dryden Flight Research Center, located on Edwards Air Force Base,
Calif., is NASA's primary installation for atmospheric flight research and
operations. The center is involved in all four of the agency's primary
missions - space exploration, space operations, scientific discovery, and
aeronautical research and development.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company
whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions
in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to
government and commercial customers worldwide.
Source: NASA
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