SA: Global Hawk kept on ground by strong winds

AAP General News (Australia)
04-26-2001
SA: Global Hawk kept on ground by strong winds

The first planned test flight in Australia by unpiloted United States spy plane Global
Hawk has been delayed by strong winds in Adelaide today.

A defence department spokeswoman says the reconnaissance aircraft had been scheduled
to take off at 11 am (CST) for a 24-hour flight over South Australia.

But safety concerns brought about by strong winds meant the plane was still on the
ground at 1.15 pm, with a decision still to be made on whether to call off the flight
for the day.

Australia's defence force is considering buying one or more Global Hawk planes to bolster
its coastal surveillance program.

The plane flew into Adelaide's RAAF Base Edinburgh, from a California US Airforce base
on Tuesday night, becoming the first unmanned jet to fly non-stop over the Pacific Ocean.

AAP RTV scl/klw/rt

KEYWORD: HAWK (ADELAIDE)

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