US $141 million UAV sends emergency signal while flying close to Crimea peninsula

The MQ-4C UAV, with the call sign BLKCAT6, was conducting reconnaissance operations over the Black Sea. According to the aircraft data collection website RadarBox , the aircraft, while operating near Crimea, sent out a distress signal before landing at a NATO base on the island of Sicily, Italy.

The aircraft issued emergency alert code 7700 and landed at Sigonella naval base at approximately 7 p.m. (Moscow time), according to Defense Mirror .

US MQ-4C UAV sends distress signal near Crimea.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, the standard emergency code 7700 is used in cases of serious emergencies, 7600 for communication failures, and 7500 for hijackings.

The U.S. military has not yet commented on this information.

The MQ-4C Triton UAV is in service with the US Navy.

The MQ-4C Triton is a long-range reconnaissance UAV launched by the US Navy in 2018. The aircraft is developed based on the RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV used by the US Air Force. The primary functions of the MQ-4C are maritime surveillance, intelligence gathering, and conducting reconnaissance operations in strategic areas such as the Black Sea.

The UAV is 14 meters long, has a wingspan of 39.9 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 14.6 tons. A crew of five controls the aircraft from the ground. According to The War Zone magazine, compared to its predecessor, the RQ-4A, which debuted in 2001, the UAV equipped for the US Navy has a reinforced fuselage and wings, along with additional features to prevent ice buildup on the nose edges and around the air intakes, and improved lightning protection.

Northrop Grumman, the manufacturer of the MQ-4C, boasts that the aircraft can reach an altitude of 15 km, thereby enhancing its maritime reconnaissance capabilities. Shephard Defence Insight , citing information from the US Navy's fiscal 2022 proposal, states that each MQ-4C Triton costs $141 million.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/uav-141-trieu-usd-cua-my-phat-tin-hieu-khan-khi-bay-sat-ban-dao-crimea-185240615161144883.htm