Global Hawk 'Video Intelligence Analysis System' to be Delivered Next Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The equipment for interpreting videos taken by the Air Force's high-altitude unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, the Global Hawk (RQ-4), of North Korean areas will be delivered to South Korea next month.

Once this equipment is delivered and operational, from next year onward, not only will the Global Hawk be able to perform normal operations, but video information processing will also be possible, significantly enhancing intelligence capabilities regarding North Korea.

On the 20th, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced in its report to the National Assembly's National Defense Committee that it plans to import the 'Video Interpretation Processing System' that interprets video information collected by the Global Hawk from the United States next month.

This equipment helps interpret videos of North Korean areas taken by the Global Hawk at an altitude of up to 20 km from the ground, enabling the identification of movements and changes of key targets. Delivery had been delayed due to prolonged negotiations between the U.S. government and the developer, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Global Hawk was introduced from the U.S. starting with the first unit in December last year, with all four units acquired this year. DAPA explained, "System integration and testing will be completed by November, followed by acceptance." Currently, flight operations and equipment performance verification for normal mission execution are ongoing.

DAPA also stated that the Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment for the Global Hawk will be upgraded to 'IFF Mode-5' by 2022. This is an upgrade of the currently installed 'IFF Mode-4,' and once completed, interoperability with the U.S. Air Force-operated Global Hawk will be enhanced.

The Global Hawk is an intelligence satellite-level unmanned reconnaissance aircraft capable of identifying objects as small as 0.3 meters on the ground through special high-performance radar and infrared detection equipment at an altitude of 20 km.

Once airborne, it can operate for 38 to 42 hours, with an operational radius of 3,000 km, allowing surveillance beyond the Korean Peninsula. It has a wingspan of 35.4 meters, a length of 14.5 meters, a height of 4.6 meters, a maximum cruising speed of 250 km/h, and a weight of 11,600 kg. The Air Force has established a reconnaissance flight squadron to operate the Global Hawk.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.