Through use of on-board sensors, Global Hawk, designated N1, collected the data and transferred it via satellite to the Navy ground control station in San Diego. From San Diego, the data was flowed to NAS Patuxent River through the Navy's information network.

Analysts at NAS Patuxent River viewed the data in real time as the Global Hawk successfully completed its sensor ground tests at Edwards Air Force Base.

The company conducted the test as part of its Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration program for the U.S. Navy. Northrop Grumman currently produces Global Hawk for the U.S. Air Force.

"This technical achievement is a critical step for the demonstration program and for our unmanned systems business," said Terry Barefoot, deputy program manager for the Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration program at Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector.

"The successful execution of this cross-country test required the integrated efforts of a diverse customer and contractor team that included the Navy's unmanned air vehicle program office at NAS Patuxent River; Air Force and industry test engineers, mechanics, and technicians at Edwards Air Force Base and at Northrop Grumman in San Diego; industry teammates Raytheon Company and L-3 Communications for ground control support; and Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector, the sensor provider. Each member is credited with the success of this test."

Operating from NAS Patuxent River, the demonstration program will employ two RQ-4A Global Hawks to serve as testbeds as the Navy develops maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements.

The air-vehicle demonstrators will fly to NAS Patuxent River in late summer. The program will also support fleet experiments and exercises over the next several years, including the Trident Warrior exercise planned for later this year.

Global Hawk flies autonomously at an altitude of 65,000 feet, above inclement weather and prevailing winds for more than 35 hours. During a single mission, it covers an area approximately half the size of the United States, providing detailed image-based intelligence on 40,000 square miles.

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