Primary function
Low Observable High Altitude Endurance (LO HAE) or TierIII� UAV, is intended to provide critical imagery intelligence from highly defended areas.
Contractor
Lockheed Martin/Boeing
Crew
Unmanned
Engines
900 lb static thrust
Weights
Empty 4,360 lb
Fuel Weight 3,240 lb
Payload 1,000 lb
Max Takeoff 8,600 lb
Dimensions
Wingspan 69 ft
Length 15 ft
Height 5 ft
Performance
Speed: Maximum 250 kts
Loiter 250 kts
Cruise 250 kts
Armament
None
Sensors
Electro-Optical or SAR
DarkStar trades air vehicle performance and payload capacity for survivability features against air defenses, such as its use of low observable technology to minimize the air vehicle's radar return. Its payload may be either SAR or EO. The air vehicle may be self-deployable over intermediate ranges. The HAE Common Ground Segment (CGS) will provide launch and recovery and mission control elements (LRE and MCE) that are common and interoperable with Global Hawk.
