The Air Force has decided to buy 51 Global Hawk strategic recon drones rather than 63. The cost savings is possible because Global Hawk has been improved to carry more sensors, allowing fewer aircraft to do the same job. Even with a smaller number to be bought, the Air Force still plans to accelerate production and to equip all Global Hawks with the LR-100 electronic intelligence system. (Only one Global Hawk had this system, and it crashed.)--Stephen V Cole