The Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical Global Hawk high-altitude endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) will have its first flight in late November at Edwards AFB, California, says the company.
The first flight of the Tier II Plus Global Hawk, now designated the RQ-4A, was planned for early 1997. The delay in the flight date, originally until at least September, was announced at the Global Hawk's roll-out in February.
Now at Edwards AFB, the first Global Hawk air vehicle will undergo its final acceptance test procedure at the end of September or in early October. Taxi-testing will be performed in mid-October, with the first flight scheduled to take place in late November, say company officials.
The Global Hawk advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) was initiated in May 1995 with the award of a $160 million contract to Teledyne for 31 months of work.
Two Global Hawk prototypes will take part in the current flight- test programme. The second air vehicle is nearing completion at TRA's plant in San Diego and will be delivered to the US Air Force Flight Test Center early next year.
The Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office (DARO) has authorised the company to produce the third and fourth Global Hawk drones and to begin long-lead activities for a fifth aircraft.
Teledyne is receiving about $11 million of initial cash, while details of the scope of work and total funding are being finalised. The cash will be used for non-recurring tasks such as software maintenance.
Delivery of the next three Global Hawks will begin in late 1998, running into 1999. Initial operational capability is due after 2000. It is still unclear how many Global Hawks will ultimately be built, but project officials suggest there will be as many as 50.
DARO's director, USAF Maj Gen Kenneth Israel, says that France, Germany and the UK, among others, have expressed "extreme interest" in Global Hawk, and foreign participation in the project may soon be a reality.
Source: Flight International
