Drawing the Technology Line, Finally: According to the South Korean Chosun Ilbo, government officials confirmed Thursday that Washington had turned down Seoul’s request to purchase Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles. The export of the RQ-4A Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman’s cutting edge reconnaissance aircraft would have required Congressional sign-off, but the Bush Administration nixed the possibility for fear of transferring key strategic technology. However, according to Seoul, it took Washington six months to let them know.
U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses continued a busy bomber task force deployment to Europe by participating in multiple drills with NATO partners last week, including simulated weapons targeting exercises and a live munitions drop in Finland.