6 Oct 2004

On This Day in History /
2004: The first RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) slated for the Navy’s Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) program made its first flight this week from Palmdale, Calif. to Edward’s Air Force Base. The mission lasted for approximately four hours and exercised the airframe, guidance system, and powerplant.
This is the first of two RQ-4A aircraft the Navy is acquiring as part of the Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration (GHMD) program. The GHMD program is intended to develop maritime UAV tactics and operating procedures. (US Navy Image)