World · Europe · 1 hr ago
NATO reconnaissance drone reports communication problems over Black Sea
A NATO reconnaissance drone reported communication problems over the Black Sea, according to an air traffic control source quoted by TASS.
Italy’s air force operates the NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix, which took off from Sigonella air base in Sicily.
The drone was still flying over the southern Black Sea, travelling west to east and back at nearly 16 kilometres altitude.
Similar incidents were reported three times earlier this year, on July 21 and September 16 and 24.
The drone can collect images across large areas and transmit them in real time, making its flight relevant to military surveillance.
The source did not give a cause for the communication problems, and said the drone was continuing its flight.
A NATO reconnaissance drone reported communication problems while flying over the Black Sea.
The RQ-4D Phoenix is owned by NATO and operated by the Italian Air Force.
An air traffic control source told TASS that the drone took off from Sigonella air base in Sicily and continued flying over the southern Black Sea.
The source said it was cruising at nearly 16 kilometers altitude, moving west to east and back.
Similar incidents involving RQ-4D Phoenix drones were reported over the Black Sea on July 21, September 16 and September 24.
- Who
- A NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix reconnaissance drone operated by the Italian Air Force.
- What
- It signaled communication problems while flying over the Black Sea.
- When
- November 11, according to the article text.
- Where
- Over the southern Black Sea. The drone had taken off from Sigonella air base in Sicily.
- Why
- The cause of the communication problem was not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An RQ-4D Phoenix had a similar incident over the Black Sea and later landed at Sigonella after several hours of flying.
A similar incident involving an RQ-4D Phoenix took place over the Black Sea.
Another similar incident involving an RQ-4D Phoenix took place over the Black Sea.
The drone reported communication problems over the Black Sea and continued cruising in the southern part of the sea.
- Aircraft
- RQ-4D Phoenix
- Operator
- Italian Air Force
- Take-off base
- Sigonella air base, Sicily
- Altitude
- Nearly 16 kilometers
- Previous incidents
- July 21, September 16 and September 24
What people are saying
The NATO-owned and Italian Air Force-operated RQ-4D Phoenix reconnaissance drone took off from the Sigonella air base in Sicily and signaled communication problems while over the Black Sea