NASA #872 (Serial #00-2006), one of two RQ-4A Global Hawk UAV aircraft transferred from the 452nd FLTS to NASA Dryden 12/3/07 Photo: Tony Landis

12/20/2007 - EDWARDS AFB, CA -- Two RQ-4A Global Hawk Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration aircraft were recently transferred from the U.S. Air Force to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base. Initial research activities beginning in 2009 will support NASA's Airborne Science Program.

The ability of the unmanned Global Hawk aircraft to autonomously fly long distances and remain aloft for extended periods of time brings a new capability to the science community for measuring, monitoring and observing remote parts of the Earth.

The two Global Hawks were the first and sixth aircraft built by Teledyne Ryan (later part of Northrop Grumman) under the original development program sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. They hold the original USAF serial numbers of 95-2001(1st ship built  - NASA #871) and 00-2006 (6th ship built - NASA #872). They were previously attached to the 412th Test Wing 452nd Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, and made available to NASA when the Air Force had no further need for them.

Source: NASA Dryden Press Release