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The US Navy has taken receipt of their fourth MQ-4 Triton, ahead of the ISR system receiving initial operational capability this year.
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Northrop Grumman explained that the delivery completes the Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19’s fleet of aircraft ahead of their first operational orbit.
The squadron’s mission is to “employ the baseline MQ-4C Triton aircraft to provide persistent ISR, distributing valuable and time-critical intelligence to combatant and fleet commanders”.
Just last week, the global prime contractor successfully completed a demonstration of the company’s MQ-4C Triton flying test bed (FTB) as part of this year’s Northern Edge 2023 military training exercise.
Conducted around the Gulf of Alaska, this demonstration highlighted Triton’s potential to enhance joint, distributed maritime operations, and further support sea control in contested environments.
The Triton FTB exercise scenarios, executed during multiple flights over seven days, focused on tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination of information to help maintain a robust common operating picture.
Captain Josh Guerre, Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems program manager said, “Northern Edge strengthens the readiness and operational capabilities of joint forces so the ability to test and demonstrate critical long-range targeting capabilities with Triton helps ensure we’re ready to effectively operate and respond to contingencies in the Pacific or anywhere in the world.”
During the exercise, the Triton FTB tracked and monitored all maritime traffic within its broad visual field.
Jane Bishop, vice-president and general manager, global surveillance, Northrop Grumman said, “Northern Edge helps the joint force integrate platforms like Triton to outpace emerging threats.
Upon receipt of the data, ground operators at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage were able to process and disseminate the Gulf of Alaska maritime common operating picture to command and control units using Triton’s Minotaur mission interface.
