Aircraft
Germany Cancels Euro Hawk UAV Order
Certification and airspace integration issues are key factors behind Germany’s decision to cancel a planned buy of five Euro Hawk UAVs. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
Certification and airspace integration issues are key factors behind Germany’s decision to cancel a planned buy of five Euro Hawk UAVs. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

The German Ministry of Defence abruptly canceled plans to introduce a fleet of five Northrop Grumman RQ-4E Euro Hawk UAVs for high-altitude Sigint collection. The first aircraft, delivered in July 2011, was already flying on development tasks from Manching airbase near Munich. According to German media reports, the country has already spent €508 million of the planned €1.2 billion (in 2012 prices) to acquire the fleet, which was intended to replace aging Atlantic manned twin turboprops. The Euro Hawk was based on the Block 20 version of the Global Hawk; EADS Cassidian was providing the Sigint sensors and ground stations.