FLIGHT TEST WEEK 'OPEN CONFERENCE' - hosted by Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE)

Running in Auditorium 3 on the Exhibits floor) on 18, 19, 20 Nov 2008


Use of Proteus to Flight Test the New AESA Radar for Global Hawk
Wednesday 19th November 2008
14.30 - 15.00
Auditorium 3

Requirement was to flight test the new Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar for the RQ-4B Global Hawk. This radar is larger and heavier than the current radar, and could not be carried on existing production Global Hawks. The First RQ-4B aircraft would not be available to carry the radar until late 2008. The Flight envelope to be tested for the radar was to be as near as possible to the Global Hawk in terms of speed and altitude.

  To complete Developmental and Performance Flight Testing of the MP-RTIP radar. timely results were required prior to availability of the larger RQ-4B. Results will affect the decision for LRIP production of the radar for the Global Hawk.


  To use Proteus, an existing high-altitude testbed, owned by Northrop Grumman and operated by Scaled Composites. Proteus holds world records for altitude and payload in its class, and has carried a variety of payloads on high altitude missions.


  Scaled and NGC Designed and built a pod to house radar, systems and instrumentation. With the radar first flown in September 2006, developmental testing will be completed in summer 2008, with Performance flights completed during the fall of 2008.  Developmental testing has involved up to 3 flights per week


Generally 6 hour missions have been flown, giving about 4.5 hours radar testing time once the aircraft was on station.


  Proteus has proved to be a reliable high-altitude testbed. Use of a manned aircraft has provided flexibility in using and changing airspace in real time. Proteus can repeat test points, and modify the flight routes in real time in response to ATC and weather changes. Maximum use has been made of Edwards facilities, airspace, ground arrays, ground movers and air movers. The unique Proteus airframe gave challenges in scheduling with replacement parts and annual inspections etc. Use of a single aircraft has meant scheduling down time for maintenance, software and radar upgrades. Weather has been an issue especially during the winter months, with high surface winds at Mojave coupled with turbulence aloft due to the winter jetstream.