NATO's RQ-4D "Phoenix" strategic reconnaissance drone has been deployed to Norway, marking the first time this aircraft type has been stationed within the country.
The RQ-4D "Phoenix" is an high-altitude, long-endurance strategic unmanned reconnaissance aircraft developed under NATO's AGS (Allied Ground Surveillance) program, based on the U.S. military's RQ-4B Block 40 "Global Hawk." It was jointly procured by 15 NATO nations and its data is shared among 32 member countries. With high-altitude stealth capabilities and extended endurance, it can fly across oceans without refueling, monitoring Europe, the Black Sea, the Arctic, and the GIUK gap. Integrated with satellites, manned aircraft, and drone swarms, it forms a comprehensive surveillance network. In 2024, a single aircraft flew over 1,000 hours, generating more than 8,500 intelligence products—averaging one product per hour.
Its deployment to Norway enables continuous monitoring of Russia’s Western Military District, the Baltic Sea, and Arctic shipping routes, providing NATO with near real-time battlefield awareness and supporting intelligence assistance to Ukraine.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866026562149376/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.