Germany axes Euro Hawk

Germany's defense ministry plans to abandon the $1.3 billion Euro Hawk reconnaissance program. Flight clearance issues in European airspace were key factors, according to reports. One Euro Hawk demonstrator, a variant of the unmanned Northrop Grumman-built Global Hawk but with Europe-built sensors, has already been purchased. But plans four will now be canceled, officials said. (Sources: Deutsche Welle, AP via Fox News, AFP via Defense News, 05/15/13) Gulf Coast note: The central fuselage of the Euro Hawk was built by Northrop Grumman in Moss Point, Miss. Previous: Euro Hawk arrives in Germany