56.84 (+0.03) 
Global Hawk
Ground Segment
The Global Hawk Ground Segment consists of the Launch and Recovery Element (LRE), the Mission Control Element (MCE), and associated ground communication equipment.
The system provides high resolution imagery, Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) with Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI), Electro Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) data to tactical commanders in near-real time. The sensor data obtained from each Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is either transmitted to the MCE via wideband RF line-of-sight or satellite data link or directly to properly equipped tactical field users or exploitation centers. The MCE disseminates imagery to exploitation centers and other tactical users using existing command and control systems.
The MCE of the Global Hawk ground segment provides management of the aircraft and its sensors and has the ability to command and control up to three Global Hawks simultaneously and disseminates near-real-time information to tactical commanders anywhere in the world. Personnel in the MCE shelter operate the command and control, mission planning, imagery quality control, and communications functions of the system.
Personnel in the LRE of the ground segment system load the autonomous flight mission plan into the air vehicle from the shelter and monitor the operation of the aircraft during its automatic takeoff and landing, which is assisted by Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). For operational use, the Global Hawk system is flown from the MCE at its home base of Beale Air Force Base, California. The LRE is located at the forward operating location of the Global Hawk.
