Japan's Self-Defense Force loses an RQ-4B Global Hawk over the Sea of Japan

One of the Japan Air Self Defense Force's three RQ-4B Global Hawks crashed in the Sea of Japan on Sep. 15, 2026. The aircraft, serial 23-6003, left Misawa Air Base at about 10:40 AM local time and contact was lost roughly two hours and 20 minutes later, at around 12:58 PM.

According to a JASDF press release, the drone was over international waters some 50 kilometers off the coast of Tottori Prefecture in western Japan when the crash occurred. The same statement said the aircraft was not on a training sortie, though the nature of the flight was not disclosed.

A search effort began at about 13:29 JST, with assets from the JASDF, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japanese Coast Guard. Wreckage was found at roughly 14:19 JST. The JASDF listed two F-15Js, a U-125A, a UH-60J, a KC-46, a Mogami-class frigate and a Hayabusa-class patrol boat among the participants. A Coast Guard MQ-9B was also visible near the site on flight tracking sites.

No damage to vessels in the area had been reported as of 17:00 JST.

Japan operates three RQ-4B Global Hawks for high-altitude, long-endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance work. The loss of one airframe leaves the fleet smaller by a third.