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

ADELAIDE, April 26 AAP - Strong winds delayed today the first planned test flight in
Australia by unmanned United States spy plane Global Hawk.

A defence department spokeswoman said the reconnaissance aircraft had been scheduled
to take off at 11am (CST) in Adelaide 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 1.15pm (CST), 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 in Edinburgh from a California US Airforce
base on Tuesday night, becoming the first unmanned jet to fly non-stop over the Pacific
Ocean.

AAP scl/mg

KEYWORD: HAWK (CARRIED EARLIER)

2001 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.