Global Hawk in Philippine disaster relief efforts
The US Air Force (USAF) deployed a Global Hawk Block 30 UAV in support of international humanitarian assistance and relief efforts following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, Northrop Grumman has announced.
The USAF used the UAV to provide surveillance capabilities during relief efforts, collecting and disseminating electro-optical (EO) imagery to US and Philippine authorities to assist with infrastructure and damage assessments. The imagery was also used to aid in the logistical assessments of roads, airports and fields to help relief teams swiftly reach displaced survivors.
The Global Hawk flew three sorties from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to the Philippines and back on 14, 16 and 20 November. In total, the aircraft collected approximately 1,000 planned images and a number of ad hoc collections on each sortie.
Jim Culmo, vice president, high altitude long endurance enterprise, Northrop Grumman, said: ‘Mission planning in a crisis is hard, but having the ability to task and retask Global Hawk gives commanders the flexibility to conduct productive ISR missions that feed near real-time information to the response teams who need it the most.’
Global Hawk has supported humanitarian missions including the 2007 Southern California wild fires; the 2010 Haiti earthquake; and the UAV collected data and imagery within the radiation zones over the Fukushima power plant following Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.
Global Hawk has also logged more than 100,000 flight hours and has been used over battlefields in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
-
![DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract]()
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
-
![Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems]()
Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.
