Raytheon has received a $104m subcontract to modernise the US Air Force's (USAF) RQ-4 Global Hawk autonomous aircraft.

In a separate development, Northrop Grumman was also contracted by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center to modernise the aircraft's ground segment.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Raytheon and Northrop will together carry out the modernisation of the Global Hawk system, in a bid to increase reliability, capability and sustainability.

Northrop Grumman-built Global Hawk is the USAF's high-altitude, long-endurance platform used to gather a variety of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data.

Raytheon said it provides modernised ground controls to enhance capabilities, safety and cybersecurity of Global Hawk operations across the world.

See Also:

It will develop and install building-based mission control stations at Beale and Grand Forks Air Force Bases, by replacing the existing, shelter-based, mission control and launch and recovery elements.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS) mission support and modernisation vice-president Todd Probert said: "The Raytheon and Northrop Grumman team delivers innovative solutions that help the Air Force develop critical battlefield intelligence capability.

"We modernise systems with a unique approach that enhances the mission and reduces overall costs."

"The Raytheon and Northrop Grumman team delivers innovative solutions that help the Air Force develop critical battlefield intelligence capability."

The modernisation will provide the RQ-4 with a modular and scalable cockpit architecture with improved command and control capacity across all sensors and missions, Northrop said in a statement.

Global Hawks can operate at altitudes up to 60,000ft for more than 30 hours continuously, supporting combatant commander requirements.

The RQ-4 fleet performs a variety of missions such as near real-time imagery, signals intelligence, airborne communications gateway and tactical networking.

Image: A US Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk in flight. Photo: courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corp.