- April 19, 2021, 6:02 AM The initial RQ-4B Block 30 for the JASDF is seen over California on its April 15 maiden flight. (Photo: Northrop Grumman) Northrop Grumman has conducted the first flight of an RQ-4B Block 30 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). The maiden sortie took place on April 15 from Palmdale in California, which is the site of the company’s Global Hawk factory within Air Force Plant 42. “The unarmed RQ-4B Global Hawk will provide Japan with on-demand intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information supporting ...