A spy plane and a surveillance drone from the United States recently conducted intelligence flights off the northern coast of Cuba, which analysts interpret as part of a coordinated aerial operation for strategic monitoring in the Caribbean.
On Wednesday, February 4, a RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft of the United States Air Force flew parallel to the northern coast of the Island, from east to west, without entering Cuban airspace. The flight path, visible on the FlightRadar24 platform, began around 6:33 p.m. and took place over international waters.
Two days later, on February 6, a spy drone MQ-4C Triton (Global Hawk) from the U.S. Navy, identified as BLKCAT5, was tracked north of the Cuban archipelago, which extended the reach of these surveillance operations.
Spy plane and drone: what platforms did the U.S. use?
The RC-135 Rivet Joint is one of the primary signals intelligence (SIGINT) platforms of the United States. It is designed to intercept, analyze, and geolocate electromagnetic emissions, including communications and radar systems, in near real-time. On this flight, the aircraft operated at an altitude of approximately 31,500 feet.
The MQ-4C Triton drone, an unmanned version of the Global Hawk adapted for maritime missions, offers persistent surveillance capabilities for over 24 hours and can operate at altitudes exceeding 15,000 meters. Its deployment allows for continuous information gathering without exposing human crews.
On February 4, two flights of P-8 Poseidon aircraft, specialized in maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare, were detected, one to the west of Cuba in the morning and another to the east in the afternoon, which reinforces the idea of a coordinated mission.
A recent pattern of aerial surveillance in the Caribbean
According to military air traffic observers, these operations are part of ISR/ELINT (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) missions related to the so-called Operation Southern Spear, aimed at monitoring transnational threats in the region.
The combination of manned intelligence aircraft and long-range drones suggests a sustained interest from Washington in maintaining constant oversight over maritime routes, military infrastructures, and communication networks in the Cuban environment, within a regional context marked by increasing tensions and security concerns.
The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) warns that its military forces are maintaining air and naval deployments in the Caribbean as part of Operation Southern Spear, a campaign aimed at supporting security missions and protecting U.S. territory.
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