Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force has lost an RQ-4B Global Hawk surveillance drone over the Sea of Japan off Tottori Prefecture, with the aircraft later presumed to have crashed after its communications dropped out. The unmanned aircraft, one of three Global Hawks based at Misawa Air Base, disappeared from radar while flying about 50 kilometres offshore in international waters, prompting a search by Japanese air, naval and coast guard assets.
The loss of contact occurred around 12:58 p.m. local time, and debris believed to be from the aircraft was subsequently spotted at sea. Officials have not disclosed the purpose of the flight, and multiple reports indicate it was not a training sortie. No injuries or damage to vessels have been reported, and the cause remains under investigation. This is Japan’s first missing Global Hawk incident since the type entered JASDF service at Misawa.