El Departamento de Defensa de Estados Unidos lamenta los altos costes del UAV Global Hawk/ Global Hawk at risk of being “non-affordable”, DOD says

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El Departamento de Defensa de Estados Unidos ha expresado su preocupación a Northrop Grumman, fabricante del RQ-4 Global Hawk, al considerar que el programa está alcanzando costes que no se pueden afrontar. Este programa está dentro de los revisados por el Departamento. La USAF y la US Navy han adquirido seis versiones del modelo, y Northrop ha exportado alguna unidad a Alemania, la versión EuroHawk.
Northrop ha contrarrestado estas declaraciones diciendo que en realidad, los costes han bajado, pero que esta situación está provocada por la cantidades compradas, que son menores a las previstas.
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The US military's top weapons buyer today repeated cost concerns about the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk because is on a path to be non-affordable, according undersecretary of acquisition technology and logistics.
The streamlining cuts across all programmes, but Global Hawk will be among the first subjected to a "should-cost" review by the DOD's cost analysts.
At least six versions of the Global Hawk, including four by the air force and two by the navy, have been or are being purchased by DOD. Northrop also has sold an export version of the aircraft to Germany called EuroHawk.
Northrop countered the air force's critical comments and attributes "cost spikes" to quantities purchased in individual lots.
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