Global Hawk Block 40 rollout
Air Force and Northrop Grumman officials unveiled the first RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawk at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif. June 25. The Block 40 incorporates the multi-platform radar technology insertion program or MP-RTIP radar, which provides high fidelity ground moving target indication and high quality radar imagery. The Air Force plans to field 15 of the Block 40 variant, designed to support the warfighter Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) mission. Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. manages MP-RTIP sensor suite development and Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio oversees the RQ-4 Global Hawk program. (photo courtesy Northrop Grumman)