NATO surveillance drone sends distress signal over Black Sea

A NATO RQ-4D Phoenix surveillance drone has sent a distress signal while flying over the Black Sea, according to SHOT.

The drone, which took off from the Sigonella air base in Sicily, Italy, transmitted a 7600 signal, indicating a loss of radio communication with ground control, the report said.

The RQ-4D Phoenix was flying off the coast of Türkiye at an altitude of around 16,000 metres when the signal was detected.

The drone had departed from Sigonella during the night. The RQ-4D Phoenix is designed for long-range reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions over wide areas.

This is the first reported sighting of the type of NATO surveillance drone over the Black Sea since early September.

By Sabina Mammadli