The US Army has awarded Northrop Grumman a major contract to develop the RangeHawk drone prototype, a modified RQ-4 Global Hawk designed to improve hypersonic weapons testing. Traditional hypersonic testing relies heavily on ships positioned under missile flight paths to collect telemetry and tracking data, a process that requires extensive planning and months of preparation. The new RangeHawk system aims to streamline this process by using high-altitude drones equipped with advanced payload architectures capable of rapidly integrating multiple mission systems. Through the Pentagon’s SkyRange program, several retired RQ-4 drones are being converted into airborne test platforms. Officials believe the new system could dramatically increase annual hypersonic missile testing capacity while reducing operational costs and preparation timelines. The initiative reflects Washington’s efforts to accelerate hypersonic weapon development amid growing competition with China and Russia.
