452nd Flight Test Squadron bids farewell to RQ-4 Global Hawk

The 452nd Flight Test Squadron recently completed its final test sortie of the RQ-4 Global Hawk. Past members of the test team reflect on the RQ-4's legacy to the Air Force, autonomous flight and flight test.

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452nd Flight Test Squadron bids farewell to RQ-4 Global Hawk

An RQ-4 Global Hawk assigned to the 452nd Flight Test Squadron flies in the skies above Edwards Air Force Base, California, May 23.The 452nd FLTS held a “sunsetting” event for the RQ-4 Global Hawk flight test program at Edwards AFB, June 9. The event marked the completion of the squadron’s test campaign for the aircraft. (Air Force photo by Bryce Bennett)

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452nd Flight Test Squadron bids farewell to RQ-4 Global Hawk

An RQ-4 Global Hawk assigned to the 452nd Flight Test Squadron flies in the skies above Edwards Air Force Base, California, May 23. The 452nd FLTS recently completed its test campaign on the Global Hawk. (Air Force photo by Bryce Bennett)

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452nd Flight Test Squadron bids farewell to RQ-4 Global Hawk

Fire trucks from the 812th Civil Engineer Squadron provide a water salute to an RQ-4 Global Hawk, assigned to and operated by the 452nd Flight Test Squadron, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, May 23. The 452nd FLTS held a “sunsetting” event for the RQ-4 Global Hawk flight test program at Edwards AFB, June 9. The event marked the completion of the squadron’s test campaign for the aircraft. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

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452nd Flight Test Squadron bids farewell to RQ-4 Global Hawk

Fire trucks from the 812th Civil Engineer Squadron provide a water salute to an RQ-4 Global Hawk, assigned to and operated by the 452nd Flight Test Squadron, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, May 23.The water salute was in honor of the 452nd FLTS's final test flight of the RQ-4. (Air Force photo by Todd Schannuth)

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452nd Flight Test Squadron bids farewell to RQ-4 Global Hawk

Published June 13, 2023
By Giancarlo Casem
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --

The 452nd Flight Test Squadron held a “sunsetting” event for the RQ-4 Global Hawk flight test program at Edwards AFB, June 9. The event marked the completion of the squadron’s test campaign for the aircraft.

“Today, we celebrate the heritage of the Air Force RQ-4 test program and we establish its legacy at Edwards Air Force Base,” said Maj. Mark Johnson, 452nd FLTS, RQ-4 Test Team Lead. “We take time to remember the many sacrifices that were made and to consider the impact they are presently having on future test programs.” The event included guest speakers from the USAF and Northrop Grumman who gave insight into the Global Hawk’s test campaign history and legacy. It also featured a Q&A panel where current RQ-4 operators provided their thoughts on the Global Hawk’s mission in real-world operational scenarios.

“The RQ-4 joins the likes of the X-1, the X-15, and the XB-70 as boundary breakers and record setters. Much like these well-known aircraft, the RQ-4 was indeed an experimental aircraft and one that challenged aviation standards,” Johnson said. “In its time, the RQ-4 introduced us to new concepts, new capabilities, and new challenges. No longer were pilots constrained by flight duty period and fatigue, nor were aircraft constrained by landing visibility.”

While the Global Hawk test campaign at Edwards AFB may have concluded, the RQ-4’s Global Vigilance mission continues. Production and flight test on the RQ-4 family of aircraft continues at 412th Test Wing’s Air Force Operating Location Plant 42. The RQ-4 and its related variants are anticipated to serve the U.S. and allied partner nations in a variety of roles throughout the coming decades.

To watch the full ceremony, click here.