Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
New Sensor Capability Testing Starts on RQ-4 Global Hawk
Northrop Grumman plans to test U-2 legacy and new sensors on the Global Hawk using a universal payload adaptor.
The Northrop Grumman universal payload adaptor attaches to the underside of the RQ-4 Global Hawk. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
The Northrop Grumman universal payload adaptor attaches to the underside of the RQ-4 Global Hawk. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

Northrop Grumman has started demonstrating the capability of the unmanned RQ-4B Global Hawk to carry new sensors, including sensors carried on the venerable U-2 Dragon Lady high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, using a company-developed universal payload adaptor. Supplementing the types of sensors the Global Hawk carries is part of a series of improvements the company is making to the aircraft to convince the U.S. Air Force of its utility as a U-2 replacement.