Northrop Grumman is adapting the next two RQ-4 Global Hawk drones into aircraft that can monitor hypersonic system tests and expects to start integration testing later this summer. These modified drones, known as Range Hawks, are set to be delivered to the Defense Department’s Test Resource Management Center by early 2025. The drones are being repurposed from a batch of 24 retired Global Hawk drones for testing purposes.
The drones are part of the SkyRange program, which aims to mount sensors onto Global Hawks for easier collection of hypersonic test launch data. The first three adapted RQ-4s have supported tests for programs like NASA’s Artemis Moon exploration and hypersonic vehicles. Northrop Grumman plans to modify more RQ-4s into Range Hawks in several batches, with each modification process taking roughly eight months to complete.
The Range Hawks, equipped with new sensors, will be able to gather telemetry data on hypersonic launches, including speed and trajectory. The technology has advanced enough in recent years to mount sensing equipment on drones, making the data collection process more efficient. The Air Force, which has nine RQ-4s left in its inventory, plans to eventually retire them, but lawmakers have moved to prevent their retirement until after fiscal 2028.
