Northrop Grumman fired off a response to the Government Accountability Office for its recent criticism of the Global Hawk acquisition program, saying the company will work closely with the Air Force to keep the high-flying unmanned aerial vehicle on cost and schedule. The Los Angeles Daily News reported on the Northrop statement, which naturally refers to the “outstanding performance” of the high-flying UAV, which the Air Force sent off to war still in its development stage. Northrop also notes that it initiated production even as it was still in development and test at the behest of the Pentagon.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.