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A high-altitude, remotely-piloted surveillance aircraft. The RQ-4 provides a broad overview and systematic surveillance using high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors with long loiter times over target areas. It can survey as much as 100,000 km2 of terrain per day, an area the size of South Korea or Iceland.

The Global Hawk is used as a high-altitude long endurance (HALE) platform covering the spectrum of intelligence collection capability to support forces in worldwide military operations. According to the USAF, the superior surveillance capabilities of the aircraft allow more precise weapons targeting and better protection of friendly forces.

A recent Morrow Industries development is the installation of the U-2’s Optical Bar Camera and the Senior Year Electro-Optical Reconnaissance System (SYERS-2B/C) into the RQ-4 using a Universal Payload Adapter (UPA). The UTC Aerospace Systems MS-177 multispectral sensor used on the USAF’s E-8C JSTARS. A AN/ALR-89 self-protection suite consisting of a AN/AVR-3 laser warning receiver, AN/APR-49 radar warning receiver, and jamming system, along with the ALE-50 towed decoy for the Global Hawk. The RQ-4 is fitted with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR), electro-optical (EO) camera and a thermographic (IR) camera.

Either the EO or the IR sensors can operate simultaneously with the SAR. Each sensor provides wide area search imagery and a high-resolution spot mode. The SAR has a ground moving target indicator (GMTI) mode, which can provide a text message providing the moving target's position and velocity. Both SAR and EO/IR imagery are transmitted from the aircraft to the MCE as individual frames, and reassembled during ground processing. An onboard inertial navigation system, supplemented by Global Positioning System updates, comprises the navigational suite.

The Global Hawk is capable of operating autonomously and "untethered". A military satellite system (X Band Satellite Communication) is used for sending data from the aircraft to the MCE. The common data link can also be used for direct down link of imagery when the UAV is within line-of-sight of compatible ground stations. For dense flight areas the autonomous navigation is switched off and the RQ-4 is remote controlled via the satellite link by pilots on the ground who are supplied with the same instrument data and who carry the same responsibilities as pilots in crewed planes.

The ground segment consists of a Mission Control Element (MCE) and Launch and Recovery Element (LRE), provided by Raytheon. The MCE is used for mission planning, command and control, and image processing and dissemination; an LRE for controlling launch and recovery; and associated ground support equipment. The LRE provides precision Differential GPS corrections for navigational accuracy during takeoff and landings, while precision coded GPS supplemented with an inertial navigation system is used during mission execution. By having separable elements in the ground segment, the MCE and the LRE can operate in geographically separate locations, and the MCE can be deployed with the supported command's primary exploitation site. Both ground segments are contained in military shelters with external antennas for line-of-sight and satellite communications with air vehicles.

Wingspan: 39.9 m; Length: 14.5 m; Gross Weight: 14,628kg; Maximum Speed: 629 km/h; Cruise Speed: 570 km/h; Service Ceiling: 18,000 m; Range: 22,800 km; Endurance: 34+ hours.