A USAF Northrop Grumman RQ-4B drone (reg. 09-2039 – callsign RICO20) is airborne over the western Mediterranean, heading east directly from the USA.
The drone is likely en route to NAS Sigonella, a US base where several drones of the same type are already stationed.
Global Hawks are engaged in reconnaissance missions over the Black Sea almost daily, although in the past, they have been deployed over Libya or the Eastern Mediterranean as well.
It’s uncertain whether this drone will increase the number of drones based at Sigonella or if it will replace one of the existing Global Hawks stationed there.