RQ-4 UAV

Funding in this project supports design, development, integration, and testing of capabilities needed to maintain Block 40 capabilities and maximize system performance until divestment, including reliability and maintainability improvements. Funding also supports continuing aircraft airframe updates, aircraft operations surety, cybersecurity, information assurance, and mission critical repair of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). This project includes systems engineering/program management, configuration and data management, test and evaluation, management services, Deficiency Report (DR)/Military Intelligence Program (MIP) Investigations, studies and analysis and fielding support for RQ-4 aircraft and Ground Segment/Communication Systems. The project also ensures compliance with DoD cybersecurity network requirements to operate in the DoD Information Network (DoDIN). This reflects contracting/acquisition strategy for these common elements within the Global Hawk program to provide efficiencies. Activities include required airspace, interoperability and communication updates, periodic Operational Flight Program releases, airframe and software upgrades, sensor enhancements including data distribution and storage, enhancements to support multi-domain contested environment operations, Authority to Operate surety enhancements, and studies and analysis supporting system maintenance and divestment. The RQ-4 program will maintain interoperability with system of systems partners and continue to incorporate applicable synergies with other platforms, other RPA weapon systems, and Processing, Exploitation & Dissemination (PED) elements. The networking capability for intelligence dissemination is required to provide the data transport interface between the Weapons System, Operations Centers, and external Intelligence Community customers. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program's funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, or 0605898F. In FY 2025, civilian pay expenses were 2.096M in this program element. In FY 2026, RQ-4 execution transitioned to O&M, supporting sustainment profile until divestment.