Palmdale-produced robot spy craft to begin real operations in U.S.

U.S. to start testing new, larger Global Hawk model

The Palmdale-produced Global Hawk robot spy plane is coming up on a number of firsts, including the start of operations in the United States and the beginning of flight testing of a larger, more capable version.

Known for providing images and intelligence in the War on Terror for the past five years, the program is just beginning operations with the arrival of the first Global Hawk at Beale Air Force Base in Northern California. The aircraft flew a mission from Beale on Tuesday, marking the first time a nontest mission had been flown in the United States.

The Air Force is considering using the aircraft's training flights for other uses, including border patrol, search and rescue, and homeland security missions, said Ed Walby, Northrop Grumman's business development director for high-altitude long-endurance programs.

"There's a world of activities you can participate in," Walby said of U.S. missions. "It's dual use for the flying time."

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