Japan first flew the Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk drone

In 2015, Japan began the process of purchasing the RQ-4B Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle. After 7 years drone

first took to the air over the Land of the Rising Sun.

What is known

The first drone arrived in Japan earlier this year, flying from the US in less than 19 hours. December 21 RQ-4B took to the skies for the first time, being adopted by the Air Self-Defense Force.

On Dec 15, #JASDF established‘Reconnaissance Group’ in Misawa. Commander of ADC presented the group flag to its commander at the inauguration ceremony. The establishment of the group will help JASDF acquire new capabilities and enhance Japan-US interoperability. #globalhawk pic.twitter.com/IkLk8sgI8t

— Japan Air Self-Defense Force (@JASDF_PAO_ENG) December 15, 2022

UAV version forJapan is equipped with a synthetic diaphragm radar, infrared and electro-optical sensors and additional equipment for aerial reconnaissance. The contract was valued at almost $500 million. The deal includes the delivery of three RQ-4B Global Hawks, operational flight test support, two ground control rooms and spare parts.

Photos of Japan Air Self-Defense Force's RQ-4B Global Hawk at Misawa Air Base. pic.twitter.com/kYHgVIbnoA

— Ryan Chan 陳家翹 (@ryankakiuchan) March 14, 2022

The drone was developed by the American company Northrop.Grumman. The cost of the entire program was almost $14 billion. The RQ-4B Global Hawk can reach speeds of up to 637 km / h and is capable of climbing to a height of about 20 km.

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The fuel tank with a volume of 7847 l providesflight range 22,780 km. The maximum payload weight on board the RQ-4B Global Hawk strategic drone is 1360 kg. UAV operators include the USA, Australia and now Japan.