USAF spends US$650 MN on 10 Global Hawk UAV systems.

The USAF reported on May 14th that Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Air Combat Systems, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $371,376,333 fixed-price-incentive / firm-target contract modification to provide for 5 Global Hawk Air Vehicles, 3 Mission Control Elements, 3 Launch and Recovery Elements, along with associated equipment.

San Diego-based Northrop Integrated Systems Air Combat Command will also provide three launch and recovery elements for the global hawk and other related equipment.

On March 16th Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Air Combat Systems, San Diego, Calif.announced a US$287 Mn USAF contract for 5 RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial systems. They were described ;

The contract includes five air vehicles, one mission control element, one launch and recovery element, four enhanced integrated sensor suites (EISS) and sustaining support. Four of the five air vehicles will be in the Block 30 configuration with one in the Block 40 configuration. Block 30 air vehicles will be equipped with the EISS and will be airborne signals intelligence payload capable. The Block 40 air vehicle will be Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program payload capable.

Mathematicians will note that the price in March per vehicle was US$57 Mn. (ish) and in May was US$74 Mn. (ish) (although this contract included a further 2 Launch and recovery elements)

"This award reaffirms the Air Force's confidence in Global Hawk and our commitment in keeping the program on cost and on schedule," said Jerry Madigan, Northrop Grumman vice president of the high altitude long endurance systems market segment.

UPDATE 20/5/07 at 12.20 Israeli Aircraft Industries just popped in to read the above - their surveillance tip top as usual.