RQ-4 Global Hawk vs Switchblade 300
Overview
The RQ-4 Global Hawk and the Switchblade 300 are both Military Drones, manufactured by Northrop Grumman and AeroVironment respectively.
The RQ-4 Global Hawk reaches 629 km/h — 3.9x the Switchblade 300's 160 km/h. The RQ-4 Global Hawk has an operational range of 22,800 km vs 10 km for the Switchblade 300. At 14,628 kg MTOW, the RQ-4 Global Hawk is 2438:1 the Switchblade 300's 6 kg.
The RQ-4 Global Hawk has been produced in 40 units vs 4,000 for the Switchblade 300. The RQ-4 Global Hawk first flew 13 years before the Switchblade 300 (1998 vs 2011).
| American HALE drone, widely deployed in the Iraq War and post-9/11 Afghanistan for surveillance and reconnaissance. | |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Military Drones |
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| First flight | 28 February 1998 |
| Year introduced | 2001 |
| Number produced | 40 units |
| Average unit price | $131 million |
| American man-portable loitering munition, introduced in the early 2010s, used for precision strikes against personnel and light vehicles in various global conflicts. | |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Military Drones |
| Manufacturer | AeroVironment |
| First flight | 1 January 2011 |
| Year introduced | 2011 |
| Number produced | 4000 units |
| Average unit price | -- |
| Wingspan | 39.9 m |
| Length | 14.5 m ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 629 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 22,800 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | 18,000 m |
| Max. takeoff weight | 14,628 kg ◉ |
| Empty weight | 8,620 kg ◉ |
| Wingspan | -- m |
| Length | 0.5 m ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h ◉ |
| Operational range | 10 km ◉ |
| Service ceiling | -- m |
| Max. takeoff weight | 6 kg ◉ |
| Empty weight | 2.5 kg ◉ |
Performance Radar Chart
Detailed Comparison
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or Switchblade 300?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is faster with a maximum speed of 629 km/h compared to the Switchblade 300's 160 km/h, a difference of 469 km/h.
Which has longer range, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or Switchblade 300?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk has a longer range at 22,800 km compared to the Switchblade 300's 10 km.
Which can fly higher, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or Switchblade 300?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk has a higher service ceiling at 18,000 meters (59,055 ft) compared to the Switchblade 300's 0 meters (0 ft).
Which is heavier, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or Switchblade 300?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 14,628 kg compared to the Switchblade 300's 6 kg.
Which is larger, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or Switchblade 300?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is longer at 14.5 meters compared to the Switchblade 300's 0.5 meters.
Which entered service first, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or Switchblade 300?
The RQ-4 Global Hawk entered service first in 2001, 10 years before the Switchblade 300 which entered service in 2011.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the RQ-4 Global Hawk or Switchblade 300?
The Switchblade 300 has been produced in greater numbers with 4,000 units compared to 40 units of the RQ-4 Global Hawk.