Japanese Global Hawk crashes off western Japan
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) operates its RQ-4B Global Hawks from Misawa Air Base, which also hosts rotational deploys of USAF Global Hawks such as the platform displayed in this 2024 photo, alongside USAF and JASDF manned aircraft. (USAF/Koby Mitchell)
A Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Block 30i Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has crashed.
The JASDF announced the incident on 15 September, stating that it lost contact with the UAV at 1255 h local time. The aircraft disappeared from radar three minutes later, at 1258 h.
The UAV was one of three Global Hawks operated by the JASDF and was assigned to the 502nd Squadron of the Airborne Warning and Control Wing at Misawa Air Base in northern Japan.
At a press conference on 15 September, JASDF Chief of Staff General Takehiro Morita said contact with the UAV was lost while it was operating over international waters, approximately 50 km north of Tottori Prefecture.
“At 1329 h local time, the Japanese minister of defence issued instructions to ascertain the status of the aircraft and conduct a prompt search; to confirm the extent of any damage in the surrounding area; and to provide information rapidly to relevant local authorities,” Gen Morita added.
At 1419 h, a Japan Coast Guard (JCG) helicopter spotted floating debris in the sea. A JASDF Boeing F-15J fighter aircraft sighted additional debris six minutes later, according to the JASDF.
A JASDF aircraft and a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessel subsequently photographed the debris, enabling the JASDF to identify the wreckage as belonging to the Global Hawk, the service added on 16 September.
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