Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19) has established a new MQ-4C Triton orbit at an undisclosed location within the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). The 5th Fleet is responsible for US Navy operations in the Middle East.
An orbit is a detachment of four aircraft that can together maintain a continuous presence in a designated area. The new orbit is the third MQ-4C Orbit to be stood up alongside Orbits in Guam and Italy.
"The MQ-4C has achieved the unprecedented stand-up of three orbits, vastly increasing the maritime domain awareness for the Joint Force. Additionally, and through capitalizing on U.S. 10th Fleet’s distributed networks, we are rapidly closing the sensor to shooter gap," said the Commanding Officer of VUP-19, Captain Ronald Rumfelt.
The Royal Australian Air Force has ordered four MQ-4C Tritons which will eventually enable No. 9 Squadron to maintain one MQ-4C orbit.