US releases wrecked photos of UAV more expensive than F-35
According to The Drive, the US military has just confirmed for the first time and released images of the RQ-4 Global Hawk that crashed off the coast of Spain in June 2018.
Pentagon officials yesterday announced information about the search and recovery operation of an RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Atlantic Ocean. This is the first time the US has confirmed the accident that occurred in June 2018 off the coast of Spain.
Major Joe Hontz, spokesman for the US European Command (EUCOM), said: "The crashed UAV belonged to the 348th Reconnaissance Squadron, stationed at Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. The accident occurred at 3:00 p.m. on June 26, 2018, in Cadiz Bay, near the US naval base in Rota, Spain."
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| The remains of the RQ-4 Global Hawk were found by the US. |
US Navy and Air Force forces, including the USNS Arctic tanker and a KC-135 tanker, were quickly deployed to the scene to search for and recover the expensive UAV. The Global Hawk wreckage was then returned to Rota Naval Base in a completely damaged state after crashing into the sea.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. The crash marks the second loss of an RQ-4 in just over a year. The previous incident occurred in the California wilderness on June 21, 2017.
As soon as these accidents occurred, the US Air Force dispatched a large force to investigate. But since then, no information has been released about the cause of the RQ-4 crash.
It is known that a Global Hawk costs about 123 million USD when it leaves the factory, not including research and actual operating costs. At this price, the Global Hawk is even more expensive than the current US F-35 stealth fighter.
Along with the expensiveness of the RQ-4 Global Hawk are its special capabilities. The aircraft is equipped with modern equipment that allows taking photos and recording videos with high resolution.
In addition, they are also equipped with infrared sensors and radar systems that allow detection and tracking of moving targets, a data connection system located on the aircraft with a control system located on the ground to serve take-off and landing, aircraft control along with communication equipment, support and training of flight operations personnel.
Most notably, the Global Hawk is integrated with a global positioning system (GPS) and the aircraft can automatically use data connections with satellites to assist in transmitting information.
Thanks to the Global Hawk's features, weapons can aim more accurately at targets and support ground forces more effectively by providing on-demand images, such as panoramic views of locations where surrounded soldiers are trying to escape.
The US military uses this aircraft to detect, classify and monitor enemies from a very long distance, collecting intelligence to support US military forces in conducting military operations globally.
