Latest Global Hawk rolls out

PALMDALE, Calif. - Northrop Grumman and the Air Force unveiled the next-generation Global Hawk Thursday. The RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawk uses the MP-RTIP sensor, the first time the active electronic scanned array technology has been used on a high-altitude unmanned aircraft. AESA technology provides all-weather, day-night synthetic aperture radar mapping and ground moving target indicator capability. Designated AF-18, it’s scheduled to begin flight testing next month. (Source: Northrop Grumman, 06/25/09) Gulf Coast note: Fuselage work on AF-18 was done in Moss Point, Miss.