USAF RQ-4B conducts an extensive surveillance mission over the Black Sea

Earlier today, a United States Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk, flying with the usual callsign FORTE10 (registration 11-2046), carried out a long intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission over the Black Sea region.

The aircraft departed from Sigonella NAS in the early hours of the morning, heading northeast through Greek airspace before reaching the Black Sea. Once on station, FORTE10 performed an extended series of racetrack patterns over international waters off the coasts of Bulgaria and Romania, focusing in particular on the western sector of the basin.

Unlike many previous missions that maintain a more linear track along the edge of NATO airspace, today’s operation included an additional wide loop over Romania before returning to the Black Sea. This expanded route suggests a broader surveillance profile, likely aimed at increasing situational awareness across the entire region.

FORTE10 remained at all times in international airspace. These missions have become a regular component of the ISR posture over the Black Sea, especially in the context of ongoing regional tensions and the need for persistent monitoring of military activity.

After completing its mission, the drone returned toward the Mediterranean along nearly the same path before heading back to Sigonella.