Endurance record set by EURO HAWK UAS
NewsSeptember 03, 2013
MANCHING, Germany. The EURO HAWK unmanned aircraft system (UAS) set a flight endurance record when it flew non-stop for 25.3 hours in European airspace. The UAS reached 58,600 feet over Manching Air Base, Germany.
The EURO HAWK, built by Northrop Grumman engineers and operated by Northrop Grumman ISS International Inc. (NGISSI), and Cassidian (EADS Deutschland GmbH), can fly at altitudes more than 60,000 feet for more than 30 hours thanks to a wingspan that is greater than most commercial airliners. The UAS can detect radar and communication emitters via its signals intelligence sensors and updated payload software.
According to Cassidian officials This flight is the longest one flown in European skies by an unrefuelled UAS in the more than 30,000-pound class," says Rolf Wirtz, head of Mission Systems for Cassidian's UAS branch. So far the EURO HAWK UAS has completed 19 flights and about 200 flight hours.
EURO HAWK is an interoperable and modular replacement to the retired fleet of manned Breguet Atlantic aircraft fleet, which was in service from 1972-2010. The flight test phase is currently scheduled through this month.
