Japan, US mulling deployment of 'Global Hawk' to increase surveillance of N Korea

Tokyo, Apr. 7 (ANI): Japan and the United States might deploy a high-altitude reconnaissance drone called the 'Global Hawk' at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture to increase surveillance of North Korea, according to sources.

According to Japan Times, the US Global Hawk, which is equipped with sophisticated cameras and sensitive communications capabilities, can fly at about 18,000 meters, roughly twice as high as commercial aircraft, for more than 30 hours on autopilot. It does not carry any weapons.

Misawa Air Base is just one of several possible deployment locations for the drone, the sources said.hile the Japan-based drone plan would allow Tokyo and Washington to observe North Korea more frequently, some in the US Defense Department have voiced apprehension about the cost involved. (ANI)