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Northrop Grumman and the US Navy have celebrated the first deployment of the MQ-4C Triton, providing military commanders in the Pacific greater maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data to inform critical decision making in one of the most strategically important regions in the world.
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Getting unmanned systems out in front of manned aircraft and ships in the Pacific has emerged as one of the US Navy’s highest priorities, as China continues to expand and reinforce its integrated web of sophisticated anti-access/area-denial capabilities in the South China Sea.
These developments have been of growing concern for both Australian and US military planners as the increasingly capable systems like the DF-21 and DF-26 continue to evolve, posing increased threat to major surface units.
Triton’s ability to fly at high altitude and remain airborne in excess of 24 hours allows commanders to surveil a larger maritime area than ever before.
Designed to operate in a manned-unmanned teaming concept, Triton provides an unblinking eye over massive swaths of ocean and littoral areas, enabling manned aircraft such as the US Navy’s P-8 Poseidon to focus on anti-surface and anti-sub-surface warfare.
Doug Shaffer, vice president and program manager of Triton program at Northrop Grumman, said, “This is a significant milestone in the MQ-4C Triton program. Our partnership with the US Navy has been crucial in developing this system that will help commanders build a better common operational picture.”
As the US Navy’s newest and most technologically advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform, Triton’s autonomous suite of maritime sensors allows operators to detect, track, classify and identify vessels on the ocean or in the littorals in some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
Unmanned Patrol Squadron One Nine, or VUP-19, is the first squadron to operate the MQ-4C.
Shaffer explained the importance of the operational milestone and its impact on informing Australia’s own employment of the MQ-4C Triton platform in September 2019, telling Defence Connect, “VUP-19’s deployment is a major milestone for the Triton program as we continue to develop and refine the Triton system to meet the US Navy and Australia’s joint requirements for the multi-intelligence configuration.
“This deployment will enable both the US Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force to learn the requirements for sustaining deployed operations of the Triton system, and Northrop Grumman will be in support every step of the way.”
Remotely flying out of RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia, the Tritons are capable of monitoring 40,000 square kilometres a day and seamlessly flying a round trip for sustained surveillance and in support of allied Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea from the Northern Territory – increasing Australia’s interoperability with key allies, particularly the US.
Designed to operate in conjunction with Australia’s planned fleet of 12 manned P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft, the Tritons provide a quantum leap in the nation’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The facilities and crew required to operate, train and maintain will be part of the initial $1.4 billion investment, which includes $364 million on new facilities at RAAF Bases Edinburgh and Tindal (in Northern Territory).
“The first of the Triton aircraft is expected to be introduced into service in mid-2023, with all six aircraft to be delivered and in operation by late 2025, based at RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia,” then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said at the announcement of the $1.4 billion acquisition.
This major announcement follows on from other recent announcements by the Australian government regarding the nation’s continuing commitment to contributing to regional peace and security, such as former defence minister Marise Payne’s $22 million announcement of Australian investment at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth, which has been a pivotal base for Australian forces rotating through the region for the past 60 years.
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defence and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of its customers worldwide. Its 85,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.
