Northrop Grumman received a $79.4 million contract for Global Hawk Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensors to be carried on the RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial system (UAS) currently in production. The first flight with the MP-RTIP sensor is scheduled in early 2009. Northrop Grumman said the Global Hawk autonomous HALE provides persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to warfighters and can fly up to 65,000 feet for more than 35 hours. The MP-RTIP sensor is a modular active electronically scanned array radar system that can be scaled in size for integration into various airborne platforms. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the MP-RTIP and Global Hawk programs. The Global Hawk industry team is comprised of Aurora Flight Sciences, Bridgeport, W.Va., L-3 Communications, Salt Lake City, Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems, Falls Church, Va., Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, and Vought Aircraft Industries, Dallas.