Block 40 Global Hawk in trouble?

In early talks on the forthcoming fiscal 2014 budget request, the Air Force proposes closing the book on Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk franchise, according to Aviation Week. The Block 40 aircraft is being proposed for termination in favor of higher-priority programs. Northrop Grumman has delivered eight of 11 Block 40s on order. Sixteen Block 30s of 30 planned have been delivered. Early work on the next of each block is under way at the company's Moss Point, Miss., facility, and both are slated for delivery in 2014. NATO's work on the Global Hawk-based Alliance Ground Surveillance program continues as does the Navy's program to outfit a Global Hawk for maritime surveillance. (Source: Aviation Week, 02/19/13) In another Global Hawk matter, a Global Hawk support unit at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., will be deactivated Sept. 29 due to Pentagon budget cutbacks, according to reports. There are 80 full-time and 115 traditional Air Force reservists serving in the affected 13th Reconnaissance Squadron. (Source: News10, 02/19/13)