North Korea appears to be testing a larger version of its Global Hawk copycat reconnaissance drone, according to NK Pro analysis of satellite imagery, while accelerating deployment preparations with new drone hangar construction.

NK Pro is first to report on the apparent new and improved drone model, appearing outside old hangars at Panghyon Airbase in a Planet Labs high-resolution SkySat image taken on Jan. 22. 

The aircraft appears similar in design to the Saetbyol-4 reconnaissance drone North Korea unveiled in 2023, but with a wingspan measuring around 40 meters (131 feet) — up to 5 meters longer than the Saetbyol-4.[/p