TOKYO — The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) lost contact with one of its RQ-4B Global Hawk surveillance drones on Tuesday while it was flying over the Sea of Japan off Tottori Prefecture. The aircraft is now presumed to have crashed after the Japan Coast Guard spotted floating debris believed to be from the drone.
Communication Lost Off Tottori
Communication with the unmanned aircraft was lost at around 12:58 p.m. while it was operating in international waters approximately 50 kilometers north of the Tottori coast.
The ASDF, Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) and Japan Coast Guard immediately began a joint search and recovery operation. Coast Guard vessels later spotted a floating object that appeared to be part of the missing aircraft.
Officials said the Global Hawk is presumed to have crashed, while the exact circumstances remain under investigation. No damage on land or to other parties has been reported.
Officials Order Search and Investigation
ASDF Chief of Staff Yasuhiro Morita said the force is conducting a search while considering all possibilities.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi instructed personnel to confirm the aircraft's status, conduct a swift search, check for any effects on surrounding areas and provide information to relevant local governments.
The search operation is continuing in the waters off Tottori.
One of Three Japanese Global Hawks
The missing aircraft is one of three RQ-4B Global Hawks operated by Japan and based at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture.
Japan's procurement of the aircraft, along with associated equipment, parts and logistical support, was approved in 2015 in a deal valued at approximately $1.2 billion. The Global Hawks began arriving in Japan in 2022, with all three aircraft in place by 2023.
This is the first time one of Japan's Global Hawks has gone missing or been presumed lost.
Global Hawk Capabilities
The U.S.-made RQ-4B Global Hawk, produced by Northrop Grumman, is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
It has a wingspan of about 40 meters and a length of about 15 meters. The aircraft can operate at around 60,000 feet, reach speeds of up to approximately 570 km/h, and remain airborne for about 30–36 hours. It is remotely controlled from the ground using satellite communications.
Japan uses the Global Hawk for surveillance of activities around the country and surrounding waters. Chinese drones have also operated over the Sea of Japan in recent years in connection with naval movements in the region.
The search for the missing aircraft and the investigation into the loss of communication are continuing.
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