Movements over central Mediterranean Sea

Tuesday morning saw significant movement of military assets in the central Mediterranean:

• Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton (reg. 169660 – c/s “BLACKCATS”)
  This remotely piloted aircraft (strategic drone) is designed for large-scale surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Having taken off from NAS Sigonella, it is heading towards the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
• Boeing P-8A Poseidon (2 identified assets)
  The Poseidon is a maritime patrol aircraft specialized in anti-submarine warfare, electronic warfare, and surveillance missions. Two Poseidon aircraft also took off from Sigonella: one is headed towards the Black Sea, while the other is en route to the eastern Mediterranean.
• Embraer EMB-145H AEW&C (reg. 374 – c/s “OURANOS11”)
  This Greek aircraft serves as an early warning and air control system, essential for coordinating defense missions and providing a wide-ranging view of aerial and naval traffic. Its flight path from Athens to southern Crete highlights a focus on a strategic area of the eastern Mediterranean, where the aircraft is operating as part of the European Union’s IRINI mission, aimed at enforcing the arms embargo on Libya.