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Japan Loses a Third of Its Global Hawk Fleet in Sea of Japan Crash
Key Takeaways
- A Japanese RQ-4B Block 30i Global Hawk crashed into the Sea of Japan on Sept. 15, reducing Japan's fleet from three aircraft to two.
- The JASDF lost contact at 12:55 p.m. and lost the radar signature three minutes later over international waters; a Coast Guard helicopter found debris 50 minutes after contact was lost.
- The drones, which cost roughly $163 million each, are operated by the 502nd Squadron from Misawa Air Base and are used to monitor North Korean missile preparations and Chinese military activity.
- Japan's purchase was controversial over cost and U.S. control of the aircraft's technology and data processing.
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DT Editorial Team··via defensenews.com