Global Hawk Reconnaissance Drone Missing Off Tottori

Sep 15, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - A Japan Air Self-Defense Force Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance aircraft went missing over international waters about 50 kilometers north of Tottori Prefecture on September 15, with floating debris and oil later found in the area where communications were lost.

According to the Air Self-Defense Force, contact with the large unmanned aircraft, which belongs to Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture, was lost at around 1 p.m.

It is not yet known whether the aircraft crashed.

The Japan Coast Guard searched the surrounding waters and confirmed floating objects and oil on the surface. Authorities are investigating whether they are connected to the missing aircraft.

The Global Hawk is remotely operated from the ground and can fly unmanned for about 36 hours. It is used for warning and surveillance missions.

Each aircraft costs about 17 billion yen.

The Air Self-Defense Force operates three Global Hawks, and this is the first time one has gone missing.

Source: 日テレNEWS

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