BIGGER, BETTER GLOBAL HAWK DEBUTS TWICE THE POWER IN RETOOLED RECONNAISSANCE CRAFT.

Byline: JIM SKEEN Staff Writer

PALMDALE -- Northrop Grumman unveiled Friday the first of its ``Block 20'' Global Hawks, a larger, more capable version of the unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that is earning accolades for its performance in the War on Terror.

The aircraft, unveiled during a ceremony at Air Force Plant 42's Site 3, will be able to carry 3,000 pounds of intelligence-gathering equipment, compared to the 2,000 pounds carried by previous Global Hawks. The aircraft will also operate with more than twice the power of its predecessors.

``It will carry the same type of sensors, but they will have better range and resolution, which is important for battlefield commanders,'' said George Guerra, director of the Global Hawk program office for Northrop Grumman. ``With the bigger capacity, it has the flexibility to carry other payloads.''

Global Hawks have now flown more than 6,000 hours and 260 missions in support of the global War on Terror, and the family of Global Hawk aircraft has accumulated more than 10,000 flight hours over all missions, Northrop Grumman officials said.

Global Hawk aircraft are capable of flying at an altitude of 65,000 feet, above storms and some six miles higher than jetliners normally fly, for more than 35 hours at a time. During a single mission, Global Hawk's sensors can survey 40,000 square miles.

The Global Hawk aircraft are primarily flown by onboard computers using preprogrammed instructions. The aircraft, however, can be flown by or have a preprogrammed mission adjusted by a ground operator who adjusts the plane's flight through clicks of a computer mouse rather than a joystick.

Prior to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Global Hawk program was in a technology demonstration phase in which a handful of aircraft were being built and tested to see whether it was possible to field a high-altitude, unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. After the attacks, the planes were pressed into service, first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq.

``(Sept. 11) was the turning point for the program,'' Guerra said. ``They performed exceptionally well overseas. That got more people excited about the program.''

For missions, the initial taxiing and takeoff are performed by a ground crew based at the airfield being used by the aircraft. About an hour into the flight, control of the airplane's mission is handed off to a ground crew that can be hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Missions over the Middle East were actually controlled by crews at Beale Air Force Base in Northern California.

Rep. Wally Herger, R-Chico, whose district includes Beale, said the Global Hawk aircraft are vital in the war on terror.

``Intelligence and surveillance are key to preventing attacks and prosecuting the War on Terror,'' Herger said. ``You must be able to see an enemy in order to defeat it.''

The Block 20 aircraft is also bigger than its predecessors. Its wingspan exceeds 130 feet, compared with 116 feet for earlier models; at 47.5 feet, it it also about 3 feet longer.

The first Block 20 aircraft will undergo ground tests at Plant 42 before flying to Edwards Air Force Base later this year. The airplane will be flight tested at Edwards for about 18 months.

Five other Block 20 aircraft will be produced. Subsequent Global Hawks will all have the same airframe, but the intelligence-gathering capability is expected to improve in future ``blocks.''

The Global Hawk is being eyed for other jobs. The Navy is exploring the possibility of using the aircraft for maritime patrols and it could be used for homeland security patrols or to provide information at disaster scenes.

james.skeen(at)dailynews

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4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color in AV edition only -- ran in AV and SAC editions only) Workers stand next to the ``Block 20'' Global Hawk, a retooled reconnaissance aircraft, at its rollout ceremony Friday at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale.

(2 -- color -- ran in AV edition only) Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, U.S. Air Force, Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula greets ``Block 20'' Global Hawk workers at Friday's debut of the retooled unmanned reconnaissance plane. The existing craft is earning accolades for its performance in the War on Terror.

(3 -- color -- ran in AV edition only) Guests seek a closer look at the ``Block 20'' Global Hawk and meet its workers at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale on Friday.

(4 -- ran in Valley edition only) Guests move in for a closer look at the ``Block 20'' Global hawk and meet tis creator Friday at Air Force Plant 42, in Palmdale. An earlier version of the reconnaissance craft won high marks for its performance in the War on Terror.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer