Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton system was launched, as part of a partnership between the Australian Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman.
Royal Australian Air Force Chief of Capabilities, Air Vice-Marshal Robert Denney, said the partnership will support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance functions, as well as a wide range of joint effects fully integrated into the Defense warfighting architecture.
«This partnership is pushing the boundaries of Air Power to achieve a truly advanced platform that will provide both a foundational capability and a growth path for decades to come,» Air Vice Marshal Denney said.
«Once in service, the long-endurance high-altitude remotely piloted air system will significantly enhance our ability to persistently patrol the approaches to Australia’s north and northwest, in the southwest Pacific and south to Antarctica.»
«The Triton will complement the surveillance role of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon by providing sustained long-range operations and performing a range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. I look forward to exploring the ways in which Triton will enhance our Defense capabilities in the future,» he concluded.
The head of the Aerospace Systems Division, Air Vice Marshal Leon Phillips, praised Defense’s effective collaboration with the U.S. Navy through the Triton Cooperative Program and with the Triton’s manufacturer, Northrop Grumman.
«This project is an excellent example of the fruitful partnership between our two nations and reflects the collaborative work between Defense and the defense industry in providing this strategic capability,» Air Vice Marshal Phillips said.
Defense expects the first aircraft of a total of seven, to be completed and delivered to Australia in 2024.
The Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is a High Altitude- Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft that will be used for maritime patrol and other surveillance roles.
The Triton, which can perform missions of up to 24 hours, is equipped with a sensor suite that provides a 360-degree view of its environment over more than 2,000 nautical miles.
Once delivered, the MQ-4C Triton will be based primarily at RAAF Tindal Base, although they will be controlled from facilities at RAAF Edinburgh.
