26K views · 712 reactions | Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk A typical, pre-programmed Global Hawk mission can include a 1,200-mile flight to an area of interest, 24 hours flying over the area, and the flight back to base. In just 24 hours, the RQ-4 can survey an area the size of Illinois (about 40,000 square miles) while cruising above the range of enemy air defenses. | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | Facebook

The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems YMQ-9 Reaper and the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk are both on display in the museum's second building! The Reaper on display (S/N 02-4002) is one of the two pre-production YMQ-9s sent to Afghanistan. This aircraft was used for the initial weapons testing, flew 14 missions for the Department of Homeland Defense during October-November 2003, and it was the first Reaper to fly in Afghanistan. The Global Hawk on display was the third prototype built. Des