MQ-4C
First news from Aero India 2011 is that Northrop Grumman revealed that it has responded to the Request for Information (RFI) from the Ministry of Defence for MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (BAMS UAS) for the Indian Navy. The MQ-4C is the naval version of RQ-4 Global Hawk.
The necessary clearances from the U.S. Government have been obtained and the U.S. Navy has been briefed. Mr. Walter Kreitler, Director of BAMS UAS programmed told India Defence that he feels that U.S. Navy and Indian Navy have very similar operational roles and requirements. Since the Indian Navy will be operating Boeing P-8I aircraft in a maritime surveillance role, MQ-4C will fit in very well to complement surveillance operations.
From NorthropGrumman.com
The United States Navy’s MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program provides persistent maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data collection and dissemination capability to the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF). The MQ-4C BAMS UAS is a multi-mission system to support strike, signals intelligence, and communications relay as an adjunct to the MMA/P-3 community to enhance manpower, training and maintenance efficiencies worldwide.
The MQ-4C BAMS UAS, at full operational capability, will provide ISR persistence over large maritime distances for long periods of time for up to five simultaneous orbits worldwide. The MQ-4C BAMS UAS missions include, but are not limited to, maritime surveillance, collection of enemy order of battle information, battle damage assessment, port surveillance, communication relay, and support of the following missions – maritime interdiction, surface warfare, battle-space management, and targeting for maritime and littoral strike missions.