A U.S. RQ‑4B Global Hawk spy drone flew from Sicily over the Tyrrhenian Sea and into Polish airspace, ending near the Tri‑Border intersection with Lithuania and Russia.
RQ‑4B Global Hawk Overview
The RQ‑4B Global Hawk is 14 m long and powered by a Rolls‑Royce turbofan. It can cruise up to 18 000 m, higher than commercial airliners, and stay aloft for over 30 hours. With a range of about 12 300 nautical miles, it can depart Sicily, survey half a continent, and return without refueling.
Flight Path Over Europe
The drone launched from the NASSigonella military base in Sicily, crossed the Tyrrhenian Sea, and flew over France and Germany before heading toward Polish airspace. Its route concluded at the triple border point between Poland, Lithuania, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, a key strategic juncture for NATO.
Suwałki Gap: NATO’s Achilles Heel
The Suwałki Gap is a narrow stretch along Poland’s border with Lithuania and Russia, encompassing Suwałki, Augustowo, and Sejn. Military analysts refer to it as “the most heated point in Europe” and NATO’s Achilles heel. An attack on the gap would sever land links between Belarus and the Baltic exclave, isolating the Baltic states from NATO partners and complicating their defense and support.
