RAF jets report close encounters with unidentified drones

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 00:08 · Archive

RAF aircraft had close encounters with two unidentified drones over the North Sea in February during military exercises.

Royal Air Force jets had close encounters with two unidentified drones over the North Sea in February, occurring only days apart during military exercises. The first sighting took place on 18 February off Cromer in Norfolk, when an RAF Airbus Voyager tanker was refuelling a Typhoon fighter jet. An unidentified object passed so close overhead that the Voyager pilot instinctively ducked. The pilot reported the sighting to RAF radar controllers, describing it as a 'potential drone' flying at 17,000 feet—more than 40 times the legal height limit for commercial drones.

The second encounter occurred five days later during simulated air combat training. Neither object appeared on radar. The incidents were reported to police and authorities, with incident logs obtained by The Telegraph showing that 'multiple different external investigations' remain underway. Both objects were operating at heights far beyond the capability of most commercially available drones, raising questions about their origin and operator.

How it is being reported

• RAF jets report ‘unidentified drones over UK’It was not clear whether the drones encountered by the Royal Air Force jets were hostile or notThe Independent · 17 Oct, 00:06
• RAF jets in near-misses with mystery drones over British skies as investigations launchedTwo RAF aircraft had close encounters with unidentified drones during separate military exercises over the North Sea in February. One of the objects was observed at an altitude of 17,000ft, more than 40 times the legal ceiling for commercial drone flights. The incidents, which occurred just five days apart, took place during simulated air combat training and an aerial refuelling operation off England's east coast. Incident logs obtained by The Telegraph reveal that the sightings were reported to police and that "multiple different external investigations" remain underway. TRENDING Stories…GB News · 16 Oct, 23:59
• RAF jets reported 'close encounters with two unidentified drones in British skies' this yearThe encounters, which occurred only days apart in February, took place over the North Sea during an air-to-air refuelling exercise and simulated air combat training.Daily Mail · 16 Oct, 23:56

In this story: RAF · North Sea · Cromer · Norfolk · Typhoon

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