the RQ-4 Global Hawk, America’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is the largest Military UAV. Having a wingspan of just over 130 feet, a length of 47.6 feet, and a total weight of 14,950 pounds, this UAV has tons to offer. Let’s investigate what the RQ4 is all about. What Does the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk Do? Present in the name, RQ-4, the designation of the letter “R” by the Department of Defense signifies reconnaissance, and the “Q” stands for unmanned aircraft system. The number 4 represents the series of purpose-built remotely piloted aircraft systems. Produced by Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and L3Harris, the RQ-4 drone functions primarily as a high-altitude, long-endurance, and remotely piloted surveillance aircraft. Its integrated sensor suite supplies global all-weather day or night intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. As with most UAVs, the Global Hawk’s mission is to issue a broad spectrum of ISR collection information to support joint combatant forces in peaceti...