A German programme to use the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle as an electronic intelligence (ELINT) platform has moved a step closer with a demonstration in the USA. During trials by the US Air Force and German defence ministry in December, data was downloaded from an EADS-built ELINT sensor via the UAV's datalink. The test was a crucial step towards a planned GlobalHawk demonstration in Germany later this year. EADS and Northrop Grumman are proposing the RQ-4A-based EuroHawk as a replacement for the German navy's four Dassault Atlantic ELINT platforms, due to be replaced from 2008.
Source: Flight International
