JASDF operates first RQ-4B Global Hawk mission

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) operated its first RQ-4B Global Hawk mission from Misawa Air Base on 21 December 2022. Aircraft in question was 23-6003, delivered to Japan on 12 March 2022 in USAF markings.

The mission was flown by a newly established reconnaissance unit (exact name not yet known, in the Scramble database as RQ-4B Hikotai), which received its unit flag in a ceremony on 15 December 2022. The new unit replaces the Rinji Teisatsu Kokutai (temporary Air Reconnaissance Group, reformed March 2021) and possibly is now sub-ordinate to the Teisatsu Kokutai.

Already in 2015 the Japanese government requested the acquisition of three RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the US State Department approved this FMS deal in November 2015.

In the Japanese defence budgets for Fiscal Years (FY) 2015 and 2016, budget was allocated for the acquisition of parts for the Global Hawk systems, in the budgets for FY 2017, 2018 and 2019 expenses were allocated for the actual assembly of the aircraft.

On 15 April 2021, Northrop Grumman performed the first flight of a Japanese RQ-4B from its Palmdale (CA) facility with Global Hawk serial 13-6001. We believe this aircraft is still in the USA and will be delivered to Misawa in 2023.

Photo via MoD Japan