RQ-4 surpasses 100,000 flight hours Published Sept. 18, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Bobby Cummings 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Northrop Grumman Corp. announced the aircraft achieved 100,000 flight hours Sept. 5. The RQ-4 and U-2 are the Air Force's primary high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. To view slideshow click here.