This is the Global Hawk called Southern Cross II (named after a famous Australian pioneer aircraft)
Notice in the background one of our old Mirage 111's. It's in the Orange and White of the ARDU research unit. Typically the first jet in any block of major fighters we buy becomes a test bed for weapons development or for flight handling research.
The one in the rear is still active although not listed as such on the register. All the other Mirages were either sold to Pakistan, or became gate guards. The worst ones were parted out.
Prepping for launch. This is shot at the ASW Squadron Air Base facilities where there is a Ground Control Station set up to test the Global Hawk for Transatlantic or Trans oceanic flights. They recently successfully handed off a GH to a controller in Germany, then to California and back to Australia without losing command and control.
