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RQ-22 Global Observer - Program

Over decades, the outcomes of UAV developmental programs have not met expectations. Technical problems such as the inability to integrate sensors, platforms, and ground elements have caused project schedules to overrun and inevitably push unit production costs to a level far in excess of what DoD was willing to pay. The nature of an operation can also add to its cost. In most missions today, the need for 24/7/365 surveillance is essential for almost all operations. Because UAVs are not able to fly for long periods of time, numerous sorties are required to sustain a continuous surveillance operation.

The US DoD leased commercial satellites to provide the necessary bandwidth for communications during military operations, but in recent years demand for communications bandwidth has increased exponentially. It is estimated that the bandwidth used during 2002’s Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan, was seven times greater than the bandwidth used in the 1991 Gulf War; Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2003, is estimated to have required bandwidth roughly ten times that of the 1991 Gulf War.

The JROC validated the capability need for Global Observer (GO) in FY 2007. GO would transition to Air Force Special Operations Command for extended use to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with the persistent operations using the Eectro-Optics/Infrared and communications relay payloads. Pending JROC validation of the capability requirement, the Air Force Air Combat Command would transition GO to the Combined Air Force.

Six US government agencies provided more than $120 million in funding for the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program. The Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) Program directly addresses Joint, Coalition, and/or Interagency capability needs expressed by Combatant Commands (COCOMs). Due to significant successes since inception of the program (initially the Advanced Capability Technology Demonstration (ACTD) Program), the JCTD Program is now viewed by COCOMs as a primary means to rapidly develop, assess, and transition needed capabilities into operations.

The joint Department of Defense, NASA and AV team based at EAFB completed aircraft weight and balance measurements and conducted a series of Ground Vibration and Structural Modes Interaction Tests in February 2010. During March and April 2010 the team performed aircraft system tests to validate the aircraft hardware and software readiness, and to support ground and flight crew training in preparation for the initial flight series. Most recently, taxi tests were conducted to confirm autonomous propulsion, data link operation, steering and braking. A final Flight Readiness Review would be conducted to formally review and approve the initiation of flight testing. Initial flight testing would consist of low-altitude battery-powered flights at EAFB to evaluate the aircraft's airworthiness and handling qualities.

On 25 May 2010 AeroVironment announced that the first aircraft developed under the Global Observer® Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program had successfully completed key ground tests in preparation for flight testing. The joint Department of Defense, NASA and AV team successfully performed ground vibration, structural and taxi tests at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California. AV developed and fabricated Aircraft 1 in its dedicated manufacturing facility located in Southern California and shipped it to EAFB in December 2009.

The Global Observer unmanned aircraft system successfully completed its first flight powered by the aircraft's hydrogen-fueled propulsion system at EAFB 06 January 2011. This milestone marked the beginning of high-altitude, long-endurance flight testing for the demonstration and operational utility phase of this Joint Capability Technology Demonstration program. The hydrogen-powered flight lasted four hours and reached an altitude of 5,000 feet above mean sea level over the Air Force Flight Test Center. This first flight follows the successful battery-powered flight test phase of the demonstration program that took place during the months of August and September 2010.

The 412th Test Wing's Global Vigilance Combined Test Force would systematically expand the altitude and duration of test flights to validate the aircraft's high-altitude, long-endurance performance. These flights would include the Air Force's Joint Aerial Layer Network Tactical Communications Suite payload. This capability provides persistent, IP-based aerial communications infrastructure that extends communications from a Global Observer aircraft positioned at 65,000 feet above sea level. The joint operational utility of the Global Observer system would also be assessed during this flight test series for future U.S. Government, civil, and military uses. Communications relay and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) payloads were being prepared for installation into the aircraft. Once development flight tests have been completed, payloads would be installed and joint operational utility flight demonstrations would be performed at EAFB.

The program completed hydrogen powered test flights achieving 18 hours duration at altitudes up to 30,000 feet, including carriage of the Air Force tactical communications suite payload. The first prototype, the GO-1, departed controlled flight and was a total loss – its ninth test – at Edwards Air Force Base in April 2011. The cause hasn't been revealed. The Pentagon had also ordered a second prototype called the GO-2 before the first prototype's crash, but then renegotiated with the company to buy back the drone before it was completed. "Currently, no service or defense agency has advocated for it to be a program," Pentagon spokeswoman Maureen Schumann told InsideDefense in April. This was after spending $27.9 million developing the drone since 2007, which came to an end in December when the Pentagon closed down its development contract. Boeing was working on its Phantom Eye drone, which had a design similar to the Global Observer.