Northrop Grumman to Upgrade Global Hawk Drone Battlefield Communications System

The US Department of Defense said that Northrop Grumman will upgrade and install Battlefield Airborne Communications Nodes on the US Air Force jet-propelled EQ-4B Global Hawk autonomous airborne system for $40 million.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Northrop Grumman will upgrade and install Battlefield Airborne Communications Nodes on the US Air Force jet-propelled EQ-4B Global Hawk autonomous airborne system for $40 million, the US Department of Defense said in a press release.

"Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $39,947,203 letter contract for Battle Field Airborne Communications Node (BACN) for EQ-4B Global Hawk," the release stated on Wednesday. "Contractor will provide BACN payload modification, integration and installation onto the EQ-4B.

BACN is a high-altitude, airborne communications and information gateway system that functions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to published Northrop Grumman documentation.

The EQ-4B Global Hawk is produced by Northrop Grumman for the US Air Force.