A military spy plane was spotted flying over Plymouth on Monday, March 31, as it circled the city for several hours. The aircraft, a Beech Shadow R.MK 1 (Shadow R1), had departed from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire at 9:16 pm.

Originally scheduled to fly between RAF Waddington and RAF Brize Norton, the plane took an unexpected detour toward Plymouth. It arrived around 10:14 pm and remained above the city for more than four hours before continuing its journey to RAF Brize Norton. The aircraft landed at 3:27 am.

The plane's flight path took it over several regions, including Peterborough, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Devon, before reaching Plymouth. The plane flew in a straight line before circling above the city.

According to data from Flightradar24, the reason for the prolonged hovering over Plymouth remains unclear. The Shadow R1, known for its advanced sensors that support comprehensive intelligence gathering, is a key asset in the RAF's fleet. The aircraft is capable of reaching an altitude of 35,000 feet and can cruise at speeds of up to 453 kilometers per hour (281 miles per hour). With a length of 46 feet 8 inches and a wingspan of 17.4 meters, it is an important surveillance tool in the UK's military operations.