Northrop Grumman has technically started production of the MQ-4C Triton, with the US Naval Air Systems Command placing a US$63.7 million order for long lead components, materials and parts.
The funding is for the US fiscal year 2015, (October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015). The long lead time nature of the order is illustrated by the fact that only 10 per cent of the work funded under the deal will be performed at the Triton’s production line site in Palmdale, California. More than half of the funds will be allocated at Salt Lake City, Utah and Baltimore in Maryland, with the rest spread over five US states, Canada and other unspecified nations. All work under this allocation is expected to be completed by February 2016.
The US Navy has ordered 68 MQ-4C Tritons, expecting to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in 2017. Australia intends to buy between six and eight Tritons, with the exact number and timeline expected as part of this year’s Defence White Paper.
One of the main features that Australia was keen on was the de-icing technology. NAVAIR sources at the Avalon air show confirmed that while the hardware is in place, the software is yet to be included. Northrop Grumman aims on producing four platforms a year for the life of program given current customer demand.
“There are three Triton platforms at Pax River where we have completed lab and ground tests and will be starting flight tests this US summer,” Julie Yadzen of NAVAIR’s persistent maritime unmanned aircraft system office (PMA 262) confirmed to ADM at Avalon.
“This will prove that the sensor load is fully integrated,” Jacquelene Kielpinski, FMS case officer in PMA 262 said.
Once that has been completed, the program is due to reach Milestone C at the end of the year when LRIP can then begin.
“That means that production can officially begin, but the 2016 budget is still pending obviously,” Yadzen said. “The flight test program is about 2,000 hours long over three years all up. Since Australia is not a partner, all testing will be performed in the US.”
Northrop Grumman displayed a mock up of the Triton while a US Air Force Global Hawk flew in for static display.
This article first appeared in Australian Defence Magazine VOL.23 No.4, April 2015