Northrop Grumman [NOC] and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company
have said they remained committed to Germany’s Euro Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle despite reports out of Berlin that the program will be canceled.
“Northrop Grumman and EADS remain fully committed to the Euro Hawk program of record, and the critical capabilities the system will provide the German armed forces and its allies,” the defense firms said in a joint statement released Monday.
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| Germany’s Euro Hawk. Photo by Northrop Grumman |
Media reports emerged earlier this month that the German Defense Ministry is scrapping the planned purchase of four Euro Hawks beyond the one already procured for testing. Officials have cited the high costs and complexities associated with certifying and integrating them into European Union airspace.
Northrop Grumman officials have said they have not been formally notified of any cancellation and are working to resolve any concerns.
“Media reports that indicate there are challenges with the aircraft’s flight control system, as well as excessive costs associated with completing airworthiness certification, are inaccurate,” the joint Northrop Grumman-EADS statement said.
The two companies “will continue to work with the customer to address any concerns they may have with the system; and the team will provide an affordable and achievable plan to complete flight testing of the initial asset and the eventual production and fielding of the full system of four additional aircraft,” they said.
The status of Global Hawk has created a major political stir in Germany ahead of September’s national elections and placed German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere under pressure to explain why the government waited so long to cancel the Euro Hawk, and after having spent nearly half the $650 million planned for the program.
The federal parliament, according to reports, is launching an investigation into the government’s handling of the program.
Euro Hawk is the first international variant of the U.S. Air Force’s Global Hawk, designed to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It can fly at altitudes reaching 60,000 feet and can stay aloft for more than 24 hours.