US Deploys Unmanned Drones for Reconnaissance over Taiwan Strait

Flight of US Navy Reconnaissance Drone (MQ-4C Triton)
Likely Tracking Chinese Submarine Activities Using Anti-Submarine Patrol Aircraft

The MQ-4C reconnaissance drone of the US military
[Image source: Northrop Grumman official website/www.northropgrumman.com]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The United States reconnaissance drone (MQ-4C Triton) reportedly conducted surveillance over the Taiwan Strait, according to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 17th.

SCMP, citing Chinese military sources, added that the MQ-4C Triton was spotted around noon on the 12th heading southeast of Taiwan.

The MQ-4C Triton is part of the U.S. military's high-altitude reconnaissance drone family known as the 'Global Hawk,' and is recognized as a drone specialized in maritime reconnaissance. Once airborne, it can remain in the air for 30 hours, with a maximum altitude reaching 18 km.

SCMP also reported that on the same day, a U.S. anti-submarine patrol aircraft (P-8A) and a Chinese refueling aircraft flew along the southwestern route of Taiwan.

The newspaper explained that it is highly likely that the U.S. military was conducting reconnaissance on Chinese submarine activities in the area.

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping (宋忠平) stated, "It appears that the U.S. Navy is tracking the underwater activities of the Chinese Navy using sonar and other equipment."

SCMP reported that unmanned reconnaissance aircraft began flights after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared China's territorial claims in the South China Sea illegal.

Previously, the U.S. deployed E-8C reconnaissance aircraft and EP-3E reconnaissance aircraft near Guangdong Province in southern China to monitor ground and maritime activities. The E-8C is a ground surveillance reconnaissance aircraft, while the EP-3E collects communications and other intelligence.

The U.S. is also known to have stationed the Cobra Ball (RC-135S) reconnaissance aircraft, specialized in ballistic missile tracking, at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. Most of the reconnaissance aircraft owned by the U.S. appear to have been deployed for reconnaissance missions over the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.