Goodfellow acquires RQ-4 Global Hawk Published Sept. 19, 2011 By Senior Airman Anne Gathua 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Goodfellow's static display collection got a new addition with the arrival of an RQ-4 Global Hawk Sept. 14. A high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system, the RQ-4 Global Hawk has an integrated sensor suite that provides Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability worldwide. "Goodfellow is one of only two bases to receive an RQ-4 Global Hawk in the history of the Air Force," Master Sgt. Lucius Wilcox, 17th Training Wing Historian said. Global Hawk's mission is to provide a broad spectrum of ISR collection capability to support joint combatant forces in worldwide peacetime, contingency and wartime operations. The Global Hawk complements manned and space reconnaissance systems by providing near-real-time coverage using imagery intelligence or IMINT sensors. "We are extremely fortunate to receive an RQ-4 Global Hawk for static display here at Goodfellow," said Col. Mark Damiano, 17th TRW Commander. "As one of our nation's newest and most capable ISR platforms, it is a perfect fit for the Wing's training mission." Damiano said the RQ-4 Global Hawk and the MQ-1 Predator already on display inside the Jacobson Gate represent the present and future of Air Force ISR collection capabilities. "A significant portion of our graduates will be working with information collected by the Global Hawk, not only at their first duty assignments, but throughout their careers," Damiano said. Wilcox agreed the Global Hawk is an important addition to Goodfellow's Static Display because it's part of our mission. "The Global Hawk's mission intimately ties to our mission and training here," Wilcox said. "We may not train the pilots or fly the plane but the data collected is interpreted through the intelligence training students receive here." The Global Hawk is currently being assembled and will be displayed at the corner of Canberra St. and Kearney Blvd. General Characteristics Primary function: High-altitude, long-endurance ISR Contractor: Northrop Grumman (Prime), Raytheon, L3 Comm Power Plant: Rolls Royce-North American AE 3007H turbofan Thrust: 7,600 pounds Wingspan: RQ-4A 116 feet (35.3 meters); RQ-4B 130.9 feet (39.8 meters) Length: RQ-4A 44 feet (13.4 meters); RQ-4B, 47.6 feet (14.5 meters) Height: RQ-4A 15.2 (4.6 meters); RQ-4B, 15.3 feet (4.7 meters) Weight: RQ-4A, 11,350 pounds (5,148 kilograms); RQ-4B, 14,950 pounds (6,781 kilograms) Maximum takeoff weight: RQ-4A, 26,750 pounds (12,133 kilograms ); RQ-4B, 32,250 pounds (14628 kilograms) Fuel Capacity: RQ-4A, 15,400 pounds (6,985 kilograms); RQ-4B, 17,300 pounds (7847 kilograms) Payload: RQ-4A, 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms); RQ-4B, 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms) Speed: RQ-4A, 340 knots (391 mph); RQ-4B, 310 knots (357 mph) Range: RQ-4A, 9,500 nautical miles; RQ-4B, 8,700 nautical miles Ceiling: 60,000 feet (18,288 meters) Armament: None Crew (remote): Three (LRE pilot, MCE pilot and sensor operator) Unit Cost: RQ-4A, $37.6 million; RQ-4B, $55-$81 million Initial operating capability: fiscal 2012 (multi-aircraft control capability) Inventory: Active force, RQ-4A: 7; RQ-4B: 3
