Northrop Grumman Had Been Developing Unmanned U-2 Replacement

The Air Force had reportedly decided to pull funding for the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk program, and extending the life of the cold-war-vintage U-2 through at least 2020.

Global Hawk

The move is part of broad defense cutbacks in the Pentagon's 2013 budget, according to a report from Reuters. An official who is not authorized to speak to the media told the news service that the Block 30 variant of the Global Hawk is cut from the budget Congress will receive in February.

The airframes for the UAVs reportedly cost some $30 million each, and that's before any sensors or other payloads are included. They have the ability to fly as high as FL600 for up to 24 hours before refueling.

USAF Chief of Staff General Norman Schwartz told Reuters only that the service would "end up doing what gives us the best capability for the least cost."

Northrop Grumman is also developing a maritime version of the aircraft for the Navy, and the Air Force may consider deploying that version, which carries different sensors.

Congress will consider the Global Hawk cancellation as part of the overall Pentagon budget, which cuts $487 billion over the next 10 years. As was observed in the F136 alternate engine program, among others, being cut by the Pentagon does not necessarily mean the end of the program. (USAF Image)

FMI: www.af.mil