The Navy’s newest unmanned aerial system (UAS), the Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) system, participated in its first wargame exercise, Trident Warrior 05, exploring operational issues surrounding the use of unmanned aircraft in maritime surveillance missions. In a convincing demonstration of the long-range capabilities of the GHMD system, the UAS flew its missions from the Naval Air Systems Command sea ranges off the coast of southern California, while transmitting data in real time to war game participants on the east coast, including Commander, SECOND FLEET, USS IWO JIMA (LHD-7) and USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC-20).

The Trident Warrior 05 exercise, which commenced 28 November and lasted through 9 December, included four GHMD flights, for a total of 31.8 hours. During the missions, the GHMD platform searched for maritime contacts using its maritime radar and passive electronic sensors, then classified targets with both an inverse synthetic aperture radar and its electro-optical/infrared camera. All flights were launched and recovered from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Contact tracks and images were transmitted in real time via satellite to the GHMD ground station located at Northrop Grumman’s System Integration Lab at Rancho Bernardo, Calif. These tracks and associated data packages were then forwarded to the Tactical Auxiliary Global Hawk System (TAGS) located at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland and on to the Office of Naval Intelligence ashore and to ships at sea involved in the wargame.

Trident Warrior is the Navy’s major annual FORCEnet Sea Trial event and is focused on accelerating net-centric warfighting capabilities to the Fleet. Sponsored by Naval Network Warfare Command, Trident Warrior delivers the latest in command and control capabilities for managing communications paths, operational picture and intelligence to allied and U.S. Naval forces.

When asked to comment, Program Executive Officer, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation, Rear Adm. Tim Heely said, “I am extremely pleased with Navy Global Hawk's performance during TW05. Integrating such an unmanned system into an exercise of this scope is at the very core of the Navy's Sea Power 21 goals, and further illustrates how we can achieve unprecedented maritime power in the near future.”

The RQ-4A Global Hawk, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, is one of the most sophisticated UASs in the American military. With a length of 44 feet, a wingspan of 116 feet, and a gross weight of 25,600 lbs., the Global Hawk is comparable in size to a U-2 or a small business jet. Operating at an altitude of approximately 60,000 feet, the Global Hawk has an endurance well in excess of 24 hours. Sensors include a radar and a high-resolution digital camera operating in both visible and infrared spectra. Data is passed to the ground stations in real time by both line-of-sight and high-speed satellite communication links.

The Naval Air Systems Command, PMA-263, has acquired two GHMD aircraft and associated ground stations to support the development of tactics and operating procedures for future unmanned maritime patrol systems. These aircraft feature extensive modifications from the Global Hawk version used by the U.S. Air Force, including new radar modes, specialized software in both the aircraft and ground stations, and the incorporation of passive electronic sensors unique to Navy UASs. The GHMD aircraft are operated by VX-20, with their main operating base at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland