The United States has stationed a clandestine drone in the United Arab Emirates. This incident dates back to May 7, 2024. The Unmanned Long-Endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) is strategically placed at the Al-Dhafra Air Base, housing the 380th American Air Expeditionary Wing and a hub for RQ-4 Global Hawk drones.
Each ULTRA drone is valued at $8 million, equating to approximately 66.78 crore rupees. The US Air Force has plans to deploy four more such drones at this base by next year, enhancing their espionage and surveillance capabilities, and target identification in the Middle East and surrounding regions.
Source: aajtak
Developed by the Air Force Research Lab, the ULTRA drone is fully automatic and more cost-effective compared to other US drones. Capable of continuous flight for up to 80 hours, this unmanned glider aircraft marks the first time such technology has been deployed in the Middle East by America.
Source: aajtak
Reports suggest that the US completed the drone in just a year, which is why detailed information about it is scarce. It has a payload capacity of 181 kilograms and is equipped with GPS hardening. This drone is capable of various forms of imagery like electro-optical, infrared, and radio frequency, and it can be fitted with cost-effective intelligence collection payloads.
The drone is modular, meaning it can be adapted for civilian applications in addition to espionage and surveillance. If needed, it can be armed for combat use.
