Global Hawk Block 40 用 MP-RTIP 레이더 개발 소식...

 

美 Northrop Grumman 社가 개발 중인 고고도 무인정찰기 RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 40 의 핵심 장비인 MP-RTIP

(Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program) 레이더가 10월부터 본격적인 시험비행에 들어간다는 소식

입니다.

 

Northrop Grumman 社를 중심으로 Raytheon 社가 subcontractor 형태로 참여하여 개발 중인 MP-RTIP 은 2006년

4월 유인시험기 Proteus 에 장착 초도비행을 실시한 이후, California 州 Palmdale 의 Northrop Grumman 공장에서

지난 9월 중순까지 마무리 시험비행을 진행하여 왔습니다.

 

아래 AW&ST 기사에 의하면, 그동안 시험기를 이용한 개발 일정은 마무리 하고, California Edwards 공군기지에서

Global Hawk Block 40 (AF-18) 기체에 실 장착을 하고 10월부터 美 공군으로 부터 본격적인 성능평가 시험비행을

받을 것이라는 소식 입니다.

 

소개하는 사진들은 2006년 4월에 실시된 초도비행 모습입니다.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Production MP-RTIP Achieves First Flight

AW&ST, Sep 15, 2010

By Amy Butler

 

The first production Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar has flown on the Proteus high-flying manned aircraft that is acting as a surrogate testbed in advance of the sensor’s integration onto the Global Hawk unmanned aerial system (UAS), according to George Guerra, who runs the program for Northrop Grumman.

 

The first flight with this production sensor took place Sept. 11 at a facility in the Mojave Desert.

 

By the end of the month, the production sensor will be delivered to Edwards AFB, Calif., where it will be integrated onto the Global Hawk in advance of flight testing. This will be the Global Hawk dubbed AF-18, Guerra says, and this is the first Block 40 aircraft.

 

The Air Force expects another production MP-RTIP to be delivered within the next couple of months, and another to follow by the beginning of next year, Guerra says.

 

AF-18 has been ready for the sensor for some time; MP-RTIP, a joint Northrop Grumman/Raytheon program, has experienced developmental problems resulting in cost overruns and delivery delays. The next three Block 40s are at Northrop Grumman’s plant in Palmdale, Calif., and are nearly through the assembly and checkout process.

 

MP-RTIP is an active electronically scanned array radar capable of collecting intelligence on moving ground targets including, in some cases, people, according to some officials close to the program.

 

Air Force officials are beginning initial operational test and evaluation of the Block 20/30 Global Hawks this fall. The first event later this month is to validate the system’s information assurance capabilities. This test period will last until the end of November. A report on military effectiveness and suitability is expected about three months later.

 

Meanwhile, Air Force officials have received their first Global Hawk at Andersen AFB, Guam. The aircraft eventually will be used to surveil targets in the Pacific area. A formal ceremony marking the arrival is slated for next week. Three Block 10 Global Hawks, including one owned by the U.S. Navy, continue to execute missions in support of U.S. Central Command operations from Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.

 

Back in Washington, Global Hawk has come under fire from the Air Force’s top procurement official, David Van Buren, for its escalating cost. A “should-cost” report is underway and is expected to be complete in October (Aerospace DAILY, June 21). Guerra says the company already is implementing cost-saving strategies to address these concerns.

 

 

  ⓒ Northrop Grumman

 

  ⓒ Northrop Grumman

 

  ⓒ USAF