Northrop Grumman Completes Sensor Flight Tests

Northrop Grumman said Thursday it completed initial testing of the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensor. All dedicated mode flights have been completed in the Radar System Level Performance Verification (RSLPV) program, verifying system performance of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) modes, according to the company. This sensor is slated for the RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft system. Assembly of the first Block 40 aircraft, AF-18, is complete and awaiting the Air Force to begin flight testing, Northrop Grumman said. In the flight tests, the radar is being flown on Northrop Grumman's Proteus aircraft as a surrogate for the first Block 40 Global Hawk. Concurrent mode testing for RSLPV is scheduled to be completed this summer, verifying full sensor capability prior to installation and testing on Global Hawk, the company said.