Northrop $3 Billion Global Hawk Order Almost Halved by Pentagon

The U.S. Defense Department has cut 11 Northrop Grumman Corp. Global Hawk drones from the remaining 26 third-generation aircraft that were to be purchased in an order worth as much as $3 billion.

Pentagon weapons buyer Ashton Carter, in a five-page memo dated June 14, directed the cut as part of a reorganization of the $12.4 billion program, which has had cost overruns and performance test shortfalls.