Global Hawk Flies First Mission Over US Skies
A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle has flown its first ever mission over the USA. This past Monday the robot landed at Beale Air Force Base in California, after completing its unstated mission. "This landmark flight has historic implications since it's the first time a Global Hawk has not only flown from Beale, but anywhere in the United States on an official Air Combat Command mission," base spokesman Capt. Michael Andrews said in a statement.
The aircraft is a staple in the War on Terror and has flown over 50 combat missions over the past year in Operation Enduring Freedom. The aircraft is controlled by four flight specialists who operate from a mobile unit the size of a tractor trailer. However, the UAV is capable of taking off, flying and landing all autonomously.
I am, however, quite curious as to what mission the Global Hawk is flying over US skies.
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June 9th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
As far as what type of mission, I recall reading some articles earlier this year about using UAVs in border enforcement roles, where the drone could observe and pinpoint border crossings and more effectively route Border Patrol to intercept.