Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first flight for the Global Hawk Ground Station Modernization Program (GSMP), the company reported on Monday.
“New, modern ground stations for Global Hawk will significantly improve the system and allow operators to more efficiently deliver timely ISR data to warfighters and connect the joint force through its global communications node mission,” said Leslie Smith, vice president Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman’s GSMP team has leveraged agile development and an open architecture design to transform the human-machine interface and the underlying software. These efforts will increase interoperability with other Air Force systems, enhance responsiveness to ad hoc tasking and lower impact updates.
Global Hawk ground stations will enhance operator experience, featuring new cockpit displays, the ability to fly all Global Hawk variants without software or configuration changes, simpler maintenance interfaces and improved situational awareness and environmental conditions for pilots and sensor operators.
Global Hawk collects ISR data to allow decision makers to act faster with more accurate information. Global Hawk to connect the joint force through high capacity backbone, pseudo-satellite communications coverage and joint all-domain command and control.
“Not only will it allow the operators to conduct their missions from an enhanced, building-based control element, it will deliver critical Diminished Manufacturing Sources solutions and system security enhancements that will ensure this vital capability continues to be secure from cyber threats,” said Col. William Collins, Global Hawk System program director, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.
