US strategic drone RQ-4B Global Hawk has completed a 7-hour mission over the Black Sea, coming within 150 kilometres of Crimea

The RQ-4B Global Hawk strategic unmanned aerial vehicle once again flew over the waters of the Black Sea. The reconnaissance drone the day before performed an extended mission in the region.

Here's What We Know

The American strategic drone is a frequent guest in the waters of the Black Sea. About a month ago, it accompanied an Israeli ship on its way to Ukraine. Early in the morning of September 4, 2023, the RB-4B Global Hawk with the call sign FORTE10 began a new mission.

The strategic drone is stationed in Italy. At around 22:00 (EDT) or 19:00 (PDT) it left Sicily and travelled towards Ukraine. The drone spent several hours over the Black Sea. At certain points in the mission, it flew at a distance of approximately 150 kilometres from the Crimean peninsula. At 05:00 (EDT) or 02:00 (PDT) Global Hawk left the waters of the Black Sea. During its flight, the UAV travelled at a speed of more than 700km/h and climbed to an altitude of 15.5km.

About a week ago, the Russian defence ministry said that the RQ-4B Global Hawk was conducting reconnaissance off the coast of Crimea together with the MQ-9 Reaper attack drone. After Russian fighter jets took off, the US UAVs left the region.

Source: Flight Aware