Royal Australian Air Force Receives First MQ-4C Triton Uncrewed Aircraft

Royal Australian Air Force Receives First MQ-4C Triton Uncrewed Aircraft
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Aug 02, 2024

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) celebrated the arrival of the first MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aircraft at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. This high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft will provide Australia with an advanced maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting capability.

The MQ-4C Triton arrived at RAAF Base Tindal on June 16 after a three-segment flight from Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. Northrop Grumman's team collaborated closely with RAAF personnel to ensure the aircraft's successful arrival and ongoing support.

Australia's Triton program is progressing with three additional aircraft currently under production at Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, California facility.

Christine Zeitz, chief executive and general manager, Australia and New Zealand, Northrop Grumman, stated, "As one of the most advanced intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting systems in the world, and a product of a cooperative development program between Australia and the United States, Triton is a proven multi-mission, multi-domain national security asset vital to the Australian Defence Force during this critical time."

Capt. Josh Guerre, U.S. Navy Triton program manager, added, "The delivery of Australia's first MQ-4C represents a significant step in a collaboration between the U.S. and Australia to drive the future of multi domain intelligence collection. The U.S. Navy is thrilled to collaborate with Australia to deliver this game changing intelligence capability into the 7th Fleet area of responsibility."

The MQ-4C Triton, designed for both the U.S. Navy and the RAAF, supports a range of missions including maritime patrol, signals intelligence, and search and rescue. The aircraft provides unparalleled persistent surveillance capabilities, enabling better planning and enhanced joint military responses. Key features of the MQ-4C Triton include:

- Higher operating altitude and longer endurance compared to medium-altitude systems

- Ultra-long operational range of 7,400 nautical miles (8,515 miles)

- Simultaneous multi-intelligence sensor operations delivering a significant increase in mission information

Northrop Grumman completed the first flight of Australia's MQ-4C Triton at its Palmdale facility in November 2023. The remaining three Tritons for Australia are progressing as scheduled. Once fully operational, the Tritons will be managed by the Number 9 Squadron from RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory to conduct surveillance over the Indo-Pacific region.