June 13, 2001. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved.

Australia set to buy spy-in-the-sky robot planes

LONDON, June 13, Graphic News: The Australian government looks certain to purchase at least four U.S. Air Force Global Hawk spy planes to meet national surveillance requirements, after putting one of the strange-looking, bulb-nosed, unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) through its paces.

The robot plane -- which is the size of a regional commuter aircraft -- has just completed six weeksÕ evaluation with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to assess its suitability to undertake maritime and coastal reconnaissance. The ADF needs to expand its aerial surveillance capability to detect the movement of surface vessels in AustraliaÕs vast maritime approaches, particularly along the north and east coasts.

The Northrop Grumman Ryan Aeronautical RQ-4A plane also set a world record by becoming the first unmanned aircraft to fly across the Pacific Ocean non-stop. The aircraft flew from AdelaideÕs Edinburgh Royal Australian Air Force Base to CaliforniaÕs Edwards Air Force Base on June 8, landing after a non-stop, 3,200-mile (5,160-km) flight of 22 hours and 18 minutes.

During its time with the ADF, the Global Hawk -- named ÒSouthern Cross IIÓ in honour of the first aviator to fly the Pacific solo, Australian Charles Kingsford Smith, 50 years ago -- flew 957,000 miles (1.54 million kilometres) in 11 missions across Australia.

Global Hawk can operate at a range of 12,500 miles (23,000 km), at altitudes up to 65,000 feet (19,800 metres) for up to 42 hours. Capable of flying 3,000 miles (5,560 km) to a target area, Global Hawk can survey a 40,000 square-mile area (103,500 square-km) for 24 hours -- relaying intelligence data via ground and airborne links -- and return 3,000 miles (5,560 km) to its operating base, all without refuelling or bathroom stops, sandwiches or drinks for a crew.

The spy plane has another trick up its sleeve: it can see vehicles on the ground after theyÕve been driven away. This ability to see what was there is all down to the Global HawkÕs infrared heat-sensitive cameras. They identify relatively cool areas on the ground, left by the shadow of a vehicle thatÕs been moved up to an hour before. 

Although UAVs have been around for a number of years they were first brought to prominence during the 1999 NATO campaign over Kosovo.

Global Hawk lazes along at 359 knots -- much slower than a passenger airliner. But its goal is to take snapshots, not to fight wars or deliver passengers.

Australian defence minister Peter Reith said ÒAustraliaÕs involvement with Global Hawk will not end at the completion of this deployment. It marks the first phase of a project to provide this type of capability.Ó

It is envisaged that the ADF will employ Global Hawk as a key element in its surveillance network, along with Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, the Jindalee Operational Radar Network and numerous other land-based and aerial systems.

The Australian government is understood to have set aside between A$100 million-A$250 million (US$51.02 million to US$127.5 million) to buy four to six aircraft, ancillary equipment and logistics support. According to Reith, the decision to buy the spy planes will be made in 2004.

/ENDS

Sources: Northrop Grumman Corp., Reuters, Associated Press

Also available: GN12546 -- Global Hawk photograph. Photo caption: Global Hawk, an unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical, with a wingspan of 116 feet (35 metres), provides near-real-time intelligence for military use. MUST CREDIT Northrop Grumman Corp.