Global Hawk blind spot leaves Japan exposed

Japan's defense forces are facing a serious problem. One of their most important surveillance tools is out of action. A U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk crashed in June. This unmanned aircraft is a high-altitude drone used for spying and watching over large areas. It acts as an "eye in the sky." The loss means Japan has fewer options to monitor its waters and airspace. The Global Hawk can fly for over 30 hours without stopping. It can see far into the distance and spot ships or other activity below. Japan does not own many of these drones. Each one costs about $130 million. Replacing the lost aircraft will take time and money. The crash comes at a bad moment. Tensions in the region are rising. Japan needs reliable surveillance to watch its neighbors, including China and North Korea. Without this drone, Japan must rely on other aircraft and ships. These alternatives cannot cover as much area or stay in the air as long. Officials have not said exactly how the loss will affect daily operations. But experts say the gap will be felt. Japan's ability to watch its surroundings has weakened, at least for now.