The USAF has placed an order for five further Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk UAVs, comprising two Block 30 and three Block 40 airframes.
The Block 30 aircraft will feature the Enhanced Integrated Sensor Suite (EISS) that provides electro-optical/infrared and synthetic aperture radar imaging capabilities and Airborne Signals Intelligence Payloads (ELINT), while the Block 40s will carry side looking Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MPRTIP) radars. The order also includes a ground station and two additional sensor suites for retrofit into two previously ordered aircraft.
The aircraft are due to be delivered in 2010 and 2011.
