TOKYO (AP) — **** an's air force said one of its long-distance surveillance drones is believed to have crashed into the sea during a flight Tuesday off the country's northwestern coast.
There were no immediate details on the nature of the mission of the uncrewed RQ-4B aircraft, also known as Global Hawk. So far, there was no indication of foul play, but officials said the cause of the presumed crash was under investigation.
The Air Self-Defense Force said the drone had trouble connecting with a communication device about one and a half hours after taking off from the Misawa Air Base. Three minutes later, it disappeared from the radar and was last seen 50 kilometers (31 miles) off the coast of Tottori, the ASDF said.
Later Tuesday, a fighter jet and a **** an Coast Guard patrol ship spotted debris believed to be from the Global Hawk. After examining photos of the debris, the ASDF said the drone is believed to have crashed just after disappearing from the radar.
The cause of the Global Hawk's presumed crash is still under investigation, the ASDF said. There have been no reports of injury or damage related to the crash.

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