The Australian Department of Defence has unveiled the first MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System of the Royal Australian Air Force, RAAF, known as ‘AUS 1’. The MQ-4C Triton, manufactured by Northrop Grummanis a large, high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft that will provide persistent surveillance in the seas surrounding Australia.
The UAV will complement the manned fleet of P-8A Poseidon of the Australian Defence Force, forming a ‘family of systems’ to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of defence operations.
The four aircraft MQ-4C Triton to be delivered by Northrop Grumman will be located in the RAAF Base TindalNorthern Territory, and operated by the Squadron No. 9 of the Air Force, which in turn is located in the RAAF Base EdinburghSouth Australia.
The MQ-4C Triton project represents an investment of 900 million dollars in Australian industry and includes facility construction, network integration, engineering, logistics, component manufacturing and maintenance services. As part of this investment, the Ministry of Defence has signed a $220 million maintenance support contract with Northrop Grumman Australia.
Pat ConroyAustralia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, has noted that the MQ-4C Triton will significantly improve the security of Australia’s maritime bordersa key priority supported by the Integrated Investment Program and specified in the National Defense Strategy. He added that the arrival of the Triton represents a significant milestone for the Air Force and demonstrates the success of the cooperative program with the U.S. Navy, country that already has several dozen MQ-4C Tritons.
This is the MQ-4C Triton
The MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system is a high-altitude aircraft that can stay in the air longer than a traditional aircraft in which the pilot is inside. He can fly to 600 kilometers per hour, with a range of 15,000 kilometers and 17,000 meters above the groundwhile operational personnel, such as the crew – who operate it from the ground -, intelligence, operations and administration officers, engineers and logistics, analyze and communicate the information collected by the Triton.
The MQ-4C Triton is One of the largest military drones with a wingspan of 39.9 metersIt is 14.5 metres long, 4.6 metres high and weighs 14 tonnes. It uses a turbofan engine. Rolls-Royce AE 3007 and can stay in the air up to 30 hours.
The Triton platform has been under development by the United States Navy since 2008 and received the first one in 2017. It is based on the UAS Global Hawkwith modifications such as reinforcements to the fuselage and wing. It also features de-icing and lightning protection systems that allow it to descend through cloud layers and gain a closer view of ships and other targets at sea.