RQ-4A/B Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft System
Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP)
Program facts
- Program number
- 252
- Short name
- RQ-4A/B Global Hawk
- Acquisition pathway
- Major Capability Acquisition (MCA)
- Acquisition category
- ACAT IC
- Acquisition status
- Full operational capability or full deployment (FOC/FD)
- Lead component
-
Air Force
Department of Defense
- Contract awards
- 160
- Contract obligations
- $5,782,224,126 Since fiscal year 2004
Program details come from the Department of Defense's acquisition program list. Contract figures come from SAM.gov (formerly FPDS).
Contract obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Obligated |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | -$17,964,427 |
| FY2025 | -$753,623 |
| FY2024 | -$637,003 |
| FY2023 | $14,204,148 |
| FY2022 | $40,726,587 |
| FY2021 | $163,120,863 |
| FY2020 | $190,605,694 |
| FY2019 | $484,584,295 |
| FY2018 | $470,541,675 |
| FY2017 | $395,707,133 |
Top contractors by obligations
| Rank | Contractor | Obligated | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation | $5,176,609,467 | |
| 2 | RTX Corporation | $206,233,132 | |
| 3 | Goodrich Corporation | $142,932,302 | |
| 4 | Northrop Grumman Systems Corpo | $118,941,886 | |
| 5 | Rolls-Royce Corporation | $51,739,718 | |
| 6 | Raytheon Company | $42,183,729 | |
| 7 | Raytheon Company | $7,439,013 | |
| 8 | UAV Communications, Inc. | $6,544,706 | |
| 9 | Rockwell Collins Services Company | $4,024,727 | |
| 10 | Logtec, Inc. | $2,859,972 |
10 of 48 contractors listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Contract awards
Show 40 more
Latest 50 of 160 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
About this program
The RQ-4A/B Global Hawk is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) managed by the U.S. Air Force for the procurement and sustainment of high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft systems used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The program follows the Major Capability Acquisition pathway and is designated as an Acquisition Category IC program. The Global Hawk system includes both air vehicles and associated ground control elements, requiring comprehensive logistics support, mission planning capabilities, and specialized training systems.
Contract awards under this program typically range from small purchases of a few thousand dollars for specific components to major system acquisitions exceeding $1 billion. The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command and its subordinate organizations, particularly the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, are the primary contracting authorities. Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation serves as the dominant prime contractor, with significant subcontractor participation from companies including Raytheon, L3Harris Technologies, Goodrich Corporation Mission Systems, and Collins Aerospace. Contract periods of performance generally span 1-5 years, with some extending up to 10 years. The majority of awards are firm-fixed-price or cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts, with no small business set-asides. Major deliverables include aircraft production, sensor integration (including the MS-177 and Airborne Signals Intelligence Payload), spare parts, technical orders, aircrew training, software development, and various engineering services. Primary places of performance include San Diego, California, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Quick answers
What is RQ-4A/B Global Hawk?
RQ-4A/B Global Hawk Unmanned Aircraft System is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) led by the Air Force. It follows the Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) pathway and is ACAT IC. Its acquisition status is full operational capability or full deployment (FOC/FD).
How much has RQ-4A/B Global Hawk obligated on contracts?
160 contract awards are coded to RQ-4A/B Global Hawk, and their actions have obligated $5,782,224,126 since fiscal year 2004.
Who are the top contractors on RQ-4A/B Global Hawk?
The contractors obligated the most on RQ-4A/B Global Hawk contracts are Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation ($5,176,609,467), RTX Corporation ($206,233,132) and Goodrich Corporation ($142,932,302).
How much did RQ-4A/B Global Hawk obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Contracts coded to RQ-4A/B Global Hawk obligated -$753,623 in fiscal year 2025.
What is the latest contract award for RQ-4A/B Global Hawk?
The latest contract award coded to RQ-4A/B Global Hawk is FA869023CB001, awarded to Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory on September 21, 2023.
On GovTribe
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