For the 1944 serial, see The Desert Hawk.

The Force Protection Airborne Surveillance System (FPASS), also known as Desert Hawk, is a small United States Air Force unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used for base perimeter protection. The program is run by Electronic Systems Center and was developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works.

The system consists of the UAV itself together with an operator ground station for control of the vehicle and reception of telemetry (e.g. video data). The vehicle has a 52 inch wingspan and a weight of approximately 7 pounds. Endurance is approximately one hour.

The Desert Hawk is also used by the 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery of the British Army as a tactical surveillance system, and has used it in Afghanistan.

External links

• Desert Hawk: Mini UAV Goes Operational, CodeOne Magazine, 2003
• DESERT HAWK UP: New Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Part 1, Military.com
• Desert Hawk helps protect Tallil, 332 AEW Public Affairs, 10/24/2003
• Desert Hawk gives security forces an eye in sky, 379 AEW Public Affairs, 7/21/2004