Posted on 08/26/2006 12:10:04 PM PDT by BenLurkin
PALMDALE - Boasting greater capabilities than its already heralded predecessor, the next-generation Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance aircraft was unveiled to the public Friday.
Amid flashing lights and stirring music, the large bulbous vehicle was revealed before an appreciative crowd of Northrop Grumman Corp. employees, Air Force personnel and dignitaries at the company's Palmdale Manufacturing Center at Air Force Plant 42. The center is home to the final assembly of all the Global Hawks.
The event marked a celebration of "both a major milestone and a new beginning," said John Brooks,
Flying at an altitude of 60,000 feet and for periods as long as 35 hours, the Global Hawk offers sustained coverage over an area, while its sophisticated suite of sensors and communications equipment sends real-time data back to commanders.
An unmanned vehicle, it operates autonomously, with no additional input from controllers required after take-off, although it may be redirected if necessary during a mission.
The new version, dubbed Block 20, is larger and capable of carrying 50% more payload than the original aircraft version, Block 10. It also is designed to easily accommodate new sensors and communications systems, a so-called "plug-and-play" arrangement.
"This aircraft is the gateway to a whole variety of new capabilities," said Scott Seymour, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems. "The next generation, certainly not the last generation. There's a lot more behind them."
Block 30 and Block 40 versions also are planned. Both will use the same basic airframe as the Block 20 but will carry different sensor capabilities.
The Block 30 aircraft - the first of which is in production to be used as a test article before the entire block purchase is set - will carry the Advanced Signals Intelligence Payload, used for intercepting high and low-band electronic signals.
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
ping
Thinking in terms of disaster relief, unmanned aerial aircraft can provide the means for a mobile communications infrastructure that will allow cell phone coverage, radio relaying, and high bandwidth networking.
Imagine an aircraft with the miniaturized equipment to relay cell phone signals for all the major cell phone providers, maybe even act as a flying cell phone tower. It would provide higher bandwidth than a satellite, and allow for easy upgrades and repair.
I'm not a meteorologist, but is 60,000 ft. above the weather as well?
I'm thinking Ad Hoc flying communications networking protocols, allowing multiple drones to extend coverage areas. I bet though that if the telephone companies allow it, the system could also send updates to anybody using a personal cell phone, that accesses the flying tower, via text message.
Heck, the idea is probably patentable. :-P
Some years ago a company was trying to raise money to do this in South America.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helios_Prototype It's a great idea, I must admit. It could revolutionize communications.
It would be expensive to try and create a permanent infrastructure using drones. The current tech for that isn't bad, but for remote and poor areas, it is much more expensive to operate in the long run, with limited profitability.
Eventually, long flight, high altitude drones will replace many intracontinental satellite communications services, but those drones will be up there for months at a time, and will require a certain level of economic development to be profitable. The U.S. and Europe could use such a system profitably, but trying to set up something like this in most areas in South America would probably be an exercise in graft and corruption... A big scam.
I hope everyone has been watching Futureweapons on the Military Channel this week.
Truly awesome stuff.
In the last episode the host took off across the Mojave Desert, a 10 min. head start.
It took a Predator 30 sec to find him.
This is it. 
Nor am I, but I do believe only Cirrus clouds reach an altitude of over 18000 ft and they are not storm clouds. These clouds are primarily made up of ice crystals and have a thin wispy look to them.
Yep, I know about the Helios project. As of yet, it can't carry the necessary payload.
However, there is some discussion about using energy beaming technology to transfer power to a flying drone, but that would really increase the cost.
In terms of 35-48 hour flights though, the current unmanned drones, or the technology used to create the current batch, can be used to build a flying natural disaster communications system.
The drones could even be stored in shielded hangers to protect from EMP, and contain hardened components for additional protection. In the event of an EMP, we'll probably need a temporary infrastructure, without which our technological edge would be non-exixstent.
This block of Global Hawk can carry 3000lbs of weaponry.
It looks like donuts were a staple for all.
Flying at an altitude of 60,000 feet and for periods as long as 35 hours. Payload 3,000 lbs.
Compared to a classic - The ER-2 has a range beyond 6,000 nautical miles; is capable of flight duration well in excess of 10 hours, and can operate at altitudes above 70,000 feet (21.3 km) if required. Range and duration are normally restricted due to pilot duty time limitations
Payload - Nose: 600 lbs Q-bay: 750 lbs Wing Pods: 1360 lb
The photos would seem to show a GH with a smaller fuselage than the U2 but longer wings. And no windows. Cool stuff.
Thanks for the ping. Awesome is right.
Whatever could you mean?
Size of file 4333.69.
That's kind of big for folks who can't afford fancy set ups like you have.
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