Marine General Supports RQ-4A Global Hawk

General James E.Cartwright,USMC,Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,has expressed full support for the Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial System despite a cost overrun.The Joint Requirements Oversight Council has reaffirmed the 2009 requirements and key performance parameters for the Northrop-Grumman product.
General Cartwright described the Global Hawk as essential to national security.The big reconnaissance drone has exceeded its cost estimate by more than 25%,which triggers a mandatory review and recertification process.The cost overrun is attributed to the Pentagon's halving of its purchase from 44 to 22 aircraft,as well as sourcing and logistics issues.
The Global Hawk is flying missions even now over Iraq and Afghanistan,plus other areas of interest.It is particularly adept at ground surveillance because of its advanced radar technology.The 10 aircraft are operated by the U.S. Air Force's 12th Reconnaissance Squadron.Providing high altitude,long endurance ISR capability,it is slated to replace the manned U-2 spy plane.
The U.S. Navy fields its own version of the RQ-4A,called the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Demonstrator(BAMS-D).The RQ-4A sensor suite has been optimized for maritime surveillance operations by integrating maritime search and movement indicator modes into it.
Northrop Grumman(NOC)