First time an RQ-4 military drone deploys to the UK

Posted: 23rd August 2024

Watch the very first arrival of an RQ-4 Global Hawk reconnaissance drone in the UK, landing at RAF Fairford just after sunset for a temporary deployment.

The Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk is an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operated by the US Air Force and designed to fly at high altitudes for surveillance and reconnaissance. It is controlled remotely by a pilot at a distant location. Read more about the type: https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Shee…

A drone is likely to replace the U2 Dragon Lady, a manned reconnaissance plane that has been flying since the 1950s and is based at RAF Fairford. Retirement of the aircraft begun at Beele Air Force Base in 2023 but it is not yet confirmed if the type will be fully retired and what will replace it. The RQ-4 Global Hawk is also said to be retired by 2027.

The RQ-4 Global Hawk is temporarily deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford in England for operations and may also conduct test flights. It landed at RAF Fairford just before 22:00 on Thursday, 22nd August after tracking on Flight Radar 24. Read more about the deployment: https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Press-R…

Aviation Week Network reports on the US Air Force’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) mission to the UK in more detail: https://aviationweek.com/defense-spac…

Recorded: August 22nd, 2024 (Ft. clips from 2023)

https://youtu.be/LvHlMJYtzho?si=OjXhU2R2LDcaF8or

 U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk temporarily deploys to England > U.S. Air
Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa > Display


https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Press-Releases/Display/Article/3882169/us-rq-4
-global-hawk-temporarily-deploys-to-england/
USAF Paves Way For UK-Based UAS Missions With First RQ-4 Landing |
Aviation Week Network


https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/aircraft-propulsion/usaf-paves-way-uk
-based-uas-missions-first-rq-4-landing