Northrop Grumman’s latest MQ-4C Triton uncrewed multi-intelligence aircraft has undergone testing with the US Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command. The aircraft will go through calibration and other testing prior to being transferred to the Navy’s operational unit.
Triton is an unmanned maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting aircraft. Built for the US Navy and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, California facility, Triton will aid in a wide range of missions, including maritime patrol, signals intelligence and search and rescue. These aircraft have provided persistent surveillance for the prediction of an adversary’s behaviour, allegedly allowing better planning and enhancing joint military operations. To date, 20 Tritons have been produced for the US Navy.
According to Northrop Grumman's website, the MQ-4C Triton possesses "persistent, high-altitude maritime ISR detects, tracks, and classifies objects quickly and safely by flying higher, longer and more efficiently while quickly sharing data to enable military coordination."
As an autonomous high altitude, long endurance (HALE) maritime aircraft, it is capable of operating at altitudes above 50,000 ft, for 24-plus hours with a range of 7,400 nautical miles.
According to the company, Northrop Grumman has nearly 100,000 employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space – more than 500 football fields. The US Navy has Triton R&D funding for continued capabilities insertion and improvements.
In Australia, the RAAF has an official requirement for ‘up to six’ Tritons but whether two additional aircraft will be ordered before Triton production terminates is not clear. For the RAAF, KBR is responsible for supporting the MQ-4C Triton with mission planning capabilities, at least until November of this year, 2025.
“Our ongoing work supporting Triton reflects the team’s enormous contribution ahead of the formal start of aircraft operations and KBR’s world-leading mission planning and sustainment capabilities," KBR Vice President Australia Defence Security Solutions Nic Maan said.