War Machines of Staggering Costs: Unveiling the Priciest Military Vehicles Ever Built
15. Global Hawk RQ-4
Joined the Service: 1998 Producing Company: Northrop Grumman
Price: *$222.7 million
Description:
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a high-altitude, remotely piloted surveillance aircraft that was designated as Tier II+ during its development. Originally designed by Ryan Aeronautical, a division of Northrop Grumman, the Global Hawk performs surveillance tasks similar to those of the U-2 Dragon Lady. It utilizes high-resolution synthetic aperture radar to conduct systematic surveillance, making it a vital asset for intelligence gathering.
Conclusion The RQ-4 Global Hawk enhances situational awareness and operational capabilities through its advanced surveillance technology, solidifying its role in modern military operations!
RQ-4 Global Hawk Description:
The RQ-4 Global Hawk further enhances its capabilities with long-range electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, allowing it to scan 40,000 square miles of terrain in a single day—an area comparable to the size of South Korea or Iceland. The total program cost is approximately $10 billion, with research and development costs per unit ranging from $131.4 million to $222.7 million.
Another remarkable feature of the RQ-4 is its infrared and visible light imagers, which utilize a shared gimballed sensor package, allowing for telescopic capabilities due to their common optics. Additionally, the Global Hawk is equipped with the AN/ALR-89 self-protection suite, which includes a jamming system, radar warning receiver, and laser warning receiver.
Conclusion The RQ-4 Global Hawk represents a significant advancement in unmanned aerial surveillance, combining extensive coverage, advanced imaging technology, and robust self-protection features to support military operations effectively!
