Hawk(r) Unmanned Aircraft for Germany
July 31, 2009
SAN DIEGO – July 31, 2009 – Northrop Grumman Corporation
(NYSE:NOC) has finished assembling the first Euro Hawk(r) unmanned
aircraft system (UAS) for the German Ministry of Defence (MoD). With a
wing span larger than a commercial airliner and endurance projected at
up to 30 hours, the Euro Hawk(r) will serve as the German Air Force's
high-altitude, long-endurance signals intelligence (SIGINT) system.
The Euro Hawk(r) is a derivative of the Block 20 Global Hawk,
and will be equipped with a new SIGINT mission system developed by EADS
Defence & Security (DS). The SIGINT system provides standoff capability
to detect electronic intelligence radar and communications intelligence
emitters. EADS DS will also provide the ground stations that will
receive and analyze the data from Euro Hawk(r) as part of an integrated
system solution.
"This on-time assembly of the Euro Hawk(r) demonstrator
reinforces our commitment to providing ground-breaking technology to
our customers and solidifies our transatlantic cooperation with Germany
and EADS DS," said Jim Kohn, Northrop Grumman Euro Hawk(r) program
director. "We're also on track for the Euro Hawk(r) unveiling later
this year at our Palmdale, Calif. manufacturing facility after
additional checkout and systems testing, followed by first flight and
delivery in 2010 in Germany."
Following successful testing and introduction in German
operational service, Northrop Grumman anticipates subsequent systems
will be delivered between 2016 and 2017. The Euro Hawk(r) will replace
the aging fleet of Breguet Atlantic aircraft, which have been in
service since 1972.
"We're eager to receive the Euro Hawk(r) and can't wait to have
this unmatched capability flying high above European skies at more than
60,000 feet and improving our troops' safety during military
deployments," said Heiko Weiss, Euro Hawk program manager of the German
Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement. "Developed to
meet Germany's need for airborne wide-area surveillance and
reconnaissance, this system will surely transform the region's
situational awareness on land, air, and sea."
"This collaborative effort between Northrop Grumman and EADS DS
on this first Euro Hawk(r) is a great success and an excellent example
of our transatlantic partnership," said Heinz-Juergen Rommel, chief
executive officer of the EuroHawk GmbH. "We are excited to welcome this
magnificent UAS here in Germany."
On Jan. 31, 2007, the German MoD awarded a $559 million
contract to EuroHawk GmbH, a 50-50 joint venture company formed by
Northrop Grumman and EADS, for the development, test and support of the
Euro Hawk(r) unmanned SIGINT surveillance and reconnaissance system.
Under the contract, EuroHawk GmbH will also provide aircraft
modifications, mission control and launch and recovery ground segments,
flight test and logistics support.
EuroHawk GmbH is the national prime contractor for the German
MoD through the entire lifecycle of the Euro Hawk(r) system. The
limited liability company is based in Immenstaad, Germany.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security
company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products,
and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems,
shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial
customers worldwide.
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