NATO surveillance drone RQ-4D concluded its first flight mission over Finland, on September 13, 2023. The drone traveled at high altitudes above the Allies’ territories and in international airspace.
According to the NATO statement, the unmanned aircraft RQ-4D conducted its mission over the Alliance’s newest member and collected data for NATO Allies to support their collective deterrence and defense.
The statement highlighted that “The mission was the first time a NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF) RQ-4D drone flew over Finland. This mission came as NATO Air Forces continue to step up their reconnaissance missions on the Alliance’s eastern borders in the wake of Russia’s full-fledged war against Ukraine.”
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, NATO’s fleet of Alliance Ground Surveillance drones has conducted countless missions and accumulated hundreds of flying hours on the Alliance’s eastern flank, mainly in the Black Sea region.
“The flight on September 13 also helped NAGSF operators to familiarise themselves with the new terrain,” the NATO statement added.
NATO surveillance drone conducts first mission over Finland 🇫🇮#NATO’s drone force has conducted many missions and provided hundreds of flying hours collecting critical intelligence for the Alliance above Allied territories and in international airspace
— NATO (@NATO) September 14, 2023
NATO’s RQ-4D, also known as “Phoenix”, is a high-altitude remotely piloted aircraft. It is one of the most advanced drones, that helps provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to NATO Allies over a wide area.
The RQ-4D is a variant of the U.S. RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawk drone, designed by Northrop Grumman. The aircraft has a range of 16,113km (8,700nm) and features one of the most advanced radar systems. It can fly at a maximum altitude of 60,000ft (18,288m).
The aircraft are based in Sigonella, Italy, and can stay in the air for more than 30 hours at a time. According to the NATO statement, “Surveillance and reconnaissance data collected by the aircraft and analyzed by NAGSF experts are made available to all Allies to inform Alliance decision-making processes.”
