Debris found off Tottori Prefecture could be from a Global Hawk reconnaissance drone that went missing over the Sea of Japan while on an Air Self-Defense Force mission on Sept. 15.

If confirmed, it would mark the first crash of a large-scale SDF drone.

Communication with the drone was lost at 1 p.m. when it was flying about 50 kilometers north of Tottori Prefecture.

What appears to be part of the aircraft was later found in the area, the ASDF said.

The aircraft was on a mission, not a training flight, when communication was lost, although the ASDF has not disclosed the objective of the mission.

Assigned to the Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture, the U.S.-made drone is about 15 meters long with a wingspan of roughly 40 meters.

Japan began acquiring the Global Hawk in fiscal 2015 to strengthen its wide-area surveillance capabilities.

The drone can fly at altitudes of up to 20,000 meters and remain airborne for about 36 hours, gathering intelligence with infrared sensors and other equipment while operating at night and in poor weather.

Each Global Hawk costs about 17 billion yen ($109.5 million).

Japan currently operates Global Hawk drones at the Misawa Air Base.