According to a press release published by Northrop Grumman on November 22, 2021, the firm has been awarded a contract by the United States Air Force to provide dynamic inflight rerouting for RQ-4B Global Hawk. The software update, known as Dynamic Mission Operations (DYNAMO), will enhance Global Hawk’s ability to provide critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data to geographic combatant commanders.
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RQ-4B Global Hawk UASÂ (Picture source: VPK)
The DYNAMO flexible mission planning capability enables in-flight rerouting of Global Hawk, allowing operators to respond to changing real world conditions, whether natural or manmade, during a mission. The upgrade is on track to be fielded in 2023.
Today, Global Hawk is the premier autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance ISR platform for the U.S. Air Force and global partners. No other system provides a better combination of range, endurance and payload capacity.
To meet future operational needs, Global Hawk is capable of delivering data beyond its traditional strategic ISR mission by providing persistent communications relay and secure processing without putting personnel in harm’s way.
Each RQ-4 air vehicle is powered by an Allison Rolls-Royce AE3007H turbofan engine with 7,050 lbf (31.4 kN) thrust and carries a payload of 2,000 pounds (910 kilograms). The fuselage uses aluminum, semi-monocoque construction with a V-tail; the wings are made of composite materials.
