NASA Global Hawk: Project Update and Future Missions

Abstract

The USAF transferred ownership of two pre-production Global Hawk aircraft to NASA Dryden in September 2007. Both aircraft have low flight hours and they were transferred to NASA with most of the equipment required for flight. NASA Dryden and Northrop Grumman have developed a partnership for standing up the capability over 1 year, operating the system for 4 years, and sharing use of the assets. The agreement was signed in April 2008. NASA Dryden will focus on Earth Science missions and Northrop Grumman will focus on DoD and internal company payload and system developments.