Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk A typical, pre-programmed Global Hawk mission can include a 1,200-mile flight to an area of interest, 24 hours flying over the area, and the flight back to base. In just 24 hours, the RQ-4 can survey an area the size of Illinois (about 40,000 square miles) while cruising above the range of enemy air defenses. | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

"In December we announced we would be opening the RQ-4 Global Hawk pilot career field to enlisted Airmen for the first time. Today we announced that the first 10 enlisted Airmen have been selected to begin training this Fall. We'll take this important step in a deliberate manner so that we can learn what works and what we'll need to adjust as we integrate our highly capable enlisted force into flying this weapons system. The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission continues to grow