Japan's Air Force Loses Contact with Surveillance Drone

Japan's air force announced on Tuesday that it lost contact with one of its long-distance surveillance drones during a flight off the northwestern coast of the country.

The uncrewed RQ-4B aircraft, known as Global Hawk, disappeared from radar approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) off the coast of Tottori. The specific mission of the drone at the time of its disappearance has not been disclosed.

This drone is one of three Global Hawks operated by the air force, based at Misawa Air Base in Aomori. These drones are capable of flying at altitudes of around 60,000 feet (18.3 kilometers) and can remain airborne for up to 36 hours, making them essential for monitoring regions such as North Korea and China. Japan is enhancing its defense strategies, including the use of drones, as part of a broader effort to adapt to evolving security challenges.