Northrop Grumman has delivered Australia’s second and third MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft systems. They arrived at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, in May of this year.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell said the arrival of the MQ-4C Triton two and three represents a significant milestone for Air Force.
“It delivers unprecedented persistence and awareness over Australia’s extensive maritime domain in support of the integrated focused force,” Air Marshal Chappell said.
This will bring significant surveillance capabilities to Australian commanders in the Indo-Pacific. Australia is a cooperative partner to the US Navy and has been critical in helping shape requirements for the Triton system. Triton enables US Navy and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to share collected data.
Commanding Officer 9 Squadron Wing Commander Lawry Benier said the safe arrival of Australia’s second and third MQ-4C Triton was the culmination of a large integrated effort across Defence, United States Navy and Northrop Grumman.
“It will continue to be a team game across Defence and defence industry, as we take the MQ-4C Triton further afield and put it through the paces of its mission roles,” Wing Commander Benier commented. “It’s going to be an exciting and challenging period, with significant learning opportunities as we continue to unlock and exploit the capabilities of the MQ-4C Triton.”
The two aircraft were remotely piloted from United States Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, safely arriving on Australian soil after completing a multi-day, multi-leg journey across the Pacific Ocean. The aircraft join Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton, which was delivered in July 2024 and successfully completed its first test flights under Australian control.
“This acquisition clearly demonstrates the ongoing success of the cooperative program with the United States Navy, and strengthens our integrated focused force," Air Marshal Chappell stated.
Australia will acquire a total of four MQ-4C Triton aircraft and associated ground support systems through a Cooperative Program with the US Navy and in collaboration with the manufacturer of the MQ-4C Triton, Northrop Grumman.
All four aircraft will be based at RAAF Base Tindal, and operated by Air Force’s 9 Squadron, located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.
The MQ-4C Triton will provide the ADF with a persistent, high altitude, long endurance, maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare capability that can contribute to a range of tasks including intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and electronic warfare.
Australia’s fourth and final MQ-4C Triton is in production, and will be delivered in 2028.