Thursday, May 31, 2012

Canada considers "Polar Hawk"

Northrop Grumman photo
Canada is considering a variant of the Northrop Grumman Block 30 Global Hawk unmanned surveillance aircraft, dubbed "Polar Hawk." As many as three aircraft could wind up patrolling the nation's far northern regions. Northrop Grumman is teaming up with L-3 MAS in the effort. The aircraft's satellite communications system will be modified to cope with spotty coverage found in the arctic, and it will have wing deicing and engine anti-icing capability. (Source: multiple, including Flightglobal, PR Newswire, The Globe and Mail, 05/30/12) Gulf Coast note: Global Hawk fuselage work is done in Moss Point, Miss.