New spy plane lands at Beale

The 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base got a new toy of sorts Tuesday — one that basically delivered itself.

Just before 1 p.m., the RQ-4 "B" class Global Hawk landed at the base's airstrip, the first step toward training "pilots" for the aircraft who will control its flight and reconnaissance activities entirely from the ground.

Major Rob Gudikunst, who has piloted several of the "A" class Global Hawks, said this version has the ability to not only take pictures, but listen in on electronic communications of all kinds.

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