Northrop Grumman RQ-4B

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has confirmed that its Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk crashed at sea.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force has launched a search for a Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk after losing contact with the uncrewed aircraft over the Sea of Japan on Sept. 15.

A U.S. government document says the anti-submarine warfare aircraft will receive the same payloads that are being deployed on the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton.

USAF is expected to begin flight operations with a high-altitude UAS from RAF Fairford, England, in the coming weeks, sources tell Aviation Week.

According to data from Aviation Week’s Fleet Discovery Military tool, NATO’s ISR fleet only counts 19 aircraft, but these modest numbers belie the strength of the alliance’s combined ISR capability.

NATO has renamed its Alliance Ground Surveillance Force flying the RQ-4D Global Hawk to the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force.

The Sigonella, Italy-based fleet of five Northrop Grumman RQ-4Ds conducted surge operations May 11-18 along NATO's eastern front.

The June 4 flight took place from Sigonella airbase, Sicily.