Re: Edwards brain dump (lots of Global Hawk stuff)


Message posted by Magoo on October 23, 2000 at 08:48:12 EST:

Global Hawk is a serious contender to be the next generation Joint-Stars style SAR platform. It's alot cheaper than a fully fitted B707 size airframe, and can carry the radar and transmitters only aloft, and can datalink the 'take' back to a ground station or airborne receiver (e.g. AWACS) in real-time! Don't believe the "...10 minute delay..." stuff the 'pilot' told you.

With its 60,000+ ft cruising altitude and 12+ hours duration, it can stay well out of harms way for long periods, and get a great 'gods-eye' view of the battlefield.

As for the sensor performance, if they could build sensors with a 2m resolution at 100 miles oblique range in the late 1960's for the A-12/SR-71/U-2, imagine what they can do now with digital technology! Not only could they tell the difference between a car and an SUV, but I wouldn't be surprised if they could also tell us what make and model it is if they could get a slight side angle shot/image!

UAVs like the Global Hawk, Darkstar (Tier II minus) and X-45 etc are the way of the future for many forms of future military aviation. Many Recon, AEW, stand-off and tactical EW support, SEAD, C/ALCM launcher, and maybe even long range bomber intercept missions will be flown by UAV/UCAVs by 2030.

Magoo


In Reply to: Edwards brain dump (lots of Global Hawk stuff) posted by gary on October 23, 2000 at 01:02:20 EST:

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