Data Quality86%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk
Country
Prime contractor
Production
2001–
Quantity
42
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
2
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
50
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- UAV ClassHALE
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight1998
- Service Entry Year2001
- Primary Rolestrategic ISR
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe6MOD.6
- Length14.5 m
- Wingspan39.898 m
- Height4.7 m
- Empty Weight6,781.32 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight14,628 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant5MOD.5
- Engine TypeRolls-Royce F137-RR-100
- Number of Engines1
- Engine Power7,457 kW
- Electric PropulsionNo
- Propeller / Configurationnone
◇Performance6MOD.6
- Top Speed629 km/h
- Cruise Speed570 km/h
- Service Ceiling18,288 m
- Range22,779.6 km
- Endurance34
- Maximum Payload1,360 kg
◆Payload & Sensors6MOD.6
- EO/IR SensorYes
- SAR / GMTI RadarYes
- SIGINT PayloadYes
- Laser DesignatorNo
- Sensor Payload Weight1,360 kg
- Comms RelayYes
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control Typeremotely-piloted
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkYes
- Autonomous CapableNo
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingYes
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built42
- Operators4
- Variants5
◎Service History3MOD.3
- Retirement Year2027
- Production Start1998
- Operational Statusin service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 2001Production started
- 2004Entered service
- 2014Sale: South Korea (4 units) · $657 M
- 2018Sale: Japan (3 units) · $1.2 Mr
25
years in service
42
units produced
6
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
NORTHROP GRUMMAN RQ-4 GLOBAL HAWK · CONFLICTS SERVED IN50% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
06 / Operators
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global HawkSALES3records
| Year | Buyer | Quantity | Amount | Present Value (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 |  Japan | 3 | $1.20 Mr | $1.54 Mr |
| 2014 |  South Korea | 4 | $657.0 M | $893.5 M |
| — |  United States | 2 | — | — |
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
07 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
6RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES2POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES184UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS255PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE6terms
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
A capability enabling drones to relay communication signals between units, extending operational range and maintaining network connectivity in combat environments.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) radar are airborne radar systems used to detect, track, and image moving or stationary targets on the ground, regardless of weather or lighting conditions.
A communication link between a drone and its control station via satellite relay, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources