Japanese Global Hawk program moving forward

Northrop Grumman is set to build three RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft for Japan under a nearly $490 million contract, the Defense Department announced Monday.

Each Block 30I aircraft includes an enhanced integrated sensor suite, and the contract also covers two ground cockpits, spares and support equipment, system engineering, program management and a site survey. Work will finish by Sept. 1, 2022.

Japan decided in 2014 to add the RQ-4 to its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance inventory, and the State Department approved the sale in November 2015.

The new contract increases funding for Japan's Global Hawk program by $294.5 million, for a total of $425 million in foreign military sales funding, according to DOD's contract announcement.

"FMS funding in the amount of [$64.9 million] will be awarded as priced options to be exercised as soon as Japan releases the remaining funds," the department said.

Northrop last year also received a $130.5 million contract for long-lead items related to the acquisition. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency estimates the procurement, which also covers 16 navigation systems, will cost $1.2 billion overall.