Northrop Grumman Successfully Demonstrates Joint STARS, Global Hawk Interoperability

Northrop Grumman Corporation recently completed a successful exchange of radar data during a flight test involving the U.S. Air Force's E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) and the RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 40 unmanned aircraft system. The demonstration was conducted Feb. 25.

The exchange is the first collaborative effort to stream ground moving target radar data from a Global Hawk Block 40 to a Joint STARS aircraft. Information can then be relayed from Joint STARS to ground forces.

"This is a significant leap forward in terms of possible capabilities for our warfighters," said Bryan Lima, Joint STARS program director at Northrop Grumman. "Findings showed increased precision, improved target tracking and the ability to extend the surveillance coverage area.

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