U.S. military reconnaissance aircraft suddenly lost contact over the Barents Sea, with its signal disappearing near Russia's border, sparking concern.

U.S. Reconnaissance Aircraft Vanishes from Radar Near Russian Border

Escalation in U.S.-Russia Covert Conflict? U.S. Strategic Reconnaissance Aircraft Suddenly Loses Contact in the Barents Sea

On September 2 (Wednesday), a U.S. Air Force strategic reconnaissance aircraft mysteriously disappeared from radar screens after patrolling the Barents Sea for nearly an hour.

According to a report by Moskovsky Komsomolets, the U.S. RC-135W "Rivet Joint" strategic reconnaissance aircraft took off that day from RAF Mildenhall, located in southeastern England. It ascended into the sky around 12:30 Moscow time and flew northward along the Norwegian coast, reaching airspace above the Barents Sea around 15:50.

Subsequently, the aircraft turned westward and suddenly vanished from radar at approximately 16:40—while it was positioned about 400 kilometers from the Russian border. Unconfirmed reports suggest the loss of contact may have resulted from the aircraft turning off its onboard transponder tracking equipment used for identification and location.

Previously, on August 21, a U.S. E-3B "Sentinel" airborne early warning aircraft had transmitted a distress signal while conducting patrols near the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, three KC-46A "Pegasus" aerial refueling aircraft were also operating in the same region.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875271631642631/

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