Northrop Grumman , EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE: The U.S. Air Force's Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle has made its first flight carrying a new sensor that can detect and identify radar and other types of electronic devices from an altitude of 60,000 feet. Global Hawk and the new sensor, known as the High Band System Production Configuration Unit (HBS PCU), are designed and produced by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
The HBS PCU is a key subsystem of the Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload (ASIP) sensor which is being developed and is expected to be operationally fielded in 2008. This system will dramatically increase the signals-collection capabilities of the U.S. armed forces. It will be integrated with the Air Force's Distributed Common Ground Stations, which are used to analyze electronic intelligence gathered by various airborne systems.
Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems and Mission Systems sectors developed and integrated the HBS PCU with the Global Hawk air vehicle. This development effort, which will include additional flight tests, will be completed by the end of the year.
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