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Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Northrop Grumman's First Next-Generation Global Hawk Makes Maiden Flight


AF-8 Global Hawk Block 20 First Flight

The first RQ-4 Block 20 Global Hawk unmanned aerial system successfully completed its first flight on March 1, adding to an already impressive list of program accomplishments. Designated AF-8, the advanced capability aircraft flew from Northrop Grumman Corporation's manufacturing facility in Palmdale, Calif., to the Birk Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

"The Block 20 Global Hawk performed beautifully," said Randy Brown, Global Hawk Program Director with the U.S. Air Force's 303rd Aeronautical Systems Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, following the flight. "What a great start for the flight test program, and a testament to the people of Northrop Grumman who have worked so hard to make this happen."

The air vehicle took to the skies at approximately 6:58 a.m. PST, climbing to 32,000 feet and landing at 8:31 a.m. PST before a crowd of cheering Air Force officials and Northrop Grumman employees. Two F-16s served as chase aircraft.

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