Navy modification increases Global Hawk contract award to $95M

The Navy has awarded a $27.6 million contract modification to Northrup Grumman to continue operations and maintenance services for the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, reported Washington Technology, a Defense Systems sister publication.

Global Hawk (RQ-4) can gather near real-time, high resolution imagery at up to 60,000 feet in all types of weather. The UAV can remain aloft for more than a day. The Navy’s maritime surveillance version is designated MQ-4C Triton.

Northrup Grumman won a $67.7 million contract last year as a sole source. The contract total now totals $95.3 million. In 2010, the Air Force transferred the Global Hawk Block 10 with aircraft, sensors and spare parts to the Navy. However, neither service acquired the technical data rights, which still belong to Northrup Grumman.