Global Hawk Also Performs Communication Relay Role

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle Global Hawk has become capable of not only reconnaissance missions but also airborne communication relay functions.

According to Northrop Grumman on the 23rd, the Global Hawk Block 30 (RQ-4B), equipped with video and signal intelligence collection capabilities, successfully performed the role of an airborne network node during the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) training conducted by the U.S. European Command.

The Global Hawk, operated by the U.S., South Korea, and others, is an unmanned aircraft capable of the world's highest level of long-endurance flight. It boasts strengths such as long range, durability, and high scalability. Equipped with an Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, it has been operated as a reconnaissance aircraft by the U.S. Air Force for the past 20 years, performing intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance missions over extensive areas.

Furthermore, through this training, Northrop Grumman explained that it proved the ability to expand missions beyond the existing strategic ISR tasks to respond to the changing battlefield requirements of the future.

Northrop Grumman emphasized, "By performing the role of an airborne network node during this training, it provided continuous communication relay and secure processing functions without exposing personnel to risk. Such capabilities of the Global Hawk will play a key role in realizing the Department of Defense's Joint-All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) vision."

Leslie Smith, Vice President in charge of Global Hawk at Northrop Grumman, stated, "Northrop Grumman continuously invests in new technologies to enhance system flexibility, survivability, and responsiveness, and is introducing proven technologies and enhanced infrastructure to provide features such as a modernized cockpit, real-time mission route changes, compatibility with various sensors, universal mission equipment adapters, and IP communications. The Global Hawk will play a technically core role not only now but also in the future."

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