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American defence prime Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed testing of Australia’s third MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system.
The Australian Government has already announced intentions for four MQ-4C Triton aircraft to be based at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory and operated by the Air Force’s reformed No. 9 Squadron, located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.
A Northrop statement released earlier this month confirmed the most recent series of testing at company’s Palmdale facility in California.
“The company is preparing to ferry the aircraft to Naval Air Station in Patuxent River, Maryland, where it will join Australia’s second Triton for calibration testing before delivery of both aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force,” according to the company statement.
“Robust flight testing and validation of these uncrewed high-altitude, long endurance aircraft are key milestones ahead of delivery to Australia this year.
“Australia’s air force is collaborating with Northrop Grumman and the US Navy to field the most advanced maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting capability available today.”
The Australian federal government previously unveiled Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton, “AUS 1”, at RAAF Base Tindal last year.
The high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft are expected to provide persistent surveillance across Australia’s maritime approaches and complement the ADF’s crewed P-8A Poseidon fleet as a “family of systems” to undertake enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of Defence operations.
The MQ-4C Triton project represents a $900 million investment in Australian industry for facilities construction, network integration, engineering, logistics, component manufacture, and sustainment services.
As part of this investment, Defence has signed an interim sustainment support contract valued at approximately $220 million with Northrop Grumman Australia, creating 110 technical jobs for highly skilled workers in South Australia and in the Northern Territory as a result of the project.
