The RQ-4 Global Hawk is a strategic high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft produced by the American company Northrop Grumman in the early 2000s. The RQ-4 is an unmanned aerial vehicle with a high degree of automation, and is controlled remotely from ground bases.Global Hawk is equipped with a full range of reconnaissance equipment: optical and electronic, as well as an advanced communications system that allows for surveillance, communications and target designation in real time.The drone is capable of performing reconnaissance missions lasting up to 34 hours at distances of up to 12,300 nmi (22,800 km), which significantly exceeds the performance of its “predecessor” – the Lockheed U-2 and expands reconnaissance capabilities. Thanks to this, the Global Hawk has become an important tool in many operations of the US Armed Forces and its allies.However, the drone’s outstanding capabilities are offset by its complexity and prohibitive cost, which limits its production and supply volumes. This is a problem Northrop Grumman has been struggling with for almost the entire history of the project.Thank you for watching! If you want to support Skyships and our work, welcome to our Patreon. _ 00:00 – The Global Hawk00:30 – Origins02:00 – New reconnaissance aircraft projects04:23 – The Difficult Birth of RQ-406:08 – Description of the drone09:21 – Equipment and controls12:36 – Service and adventures14:25 – MQ-4C Triton15:24 – Why is it so expensive?17:20 – Prospects