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| MQ-4C Triton Drone Launched By Northrop Grumman Corporation |
International Military - Northrop Grumman Corporation launches Australia's first MQ-4C Triton Tampa Crew aircraft. The drone was unveiled during a ceremony at the high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) aircraft production site in California.
The event, which was attended by Australian, US government and defense officials, highlighted the ongoing progress of the Triton MQ-4C program for the Royal Australian Air Force and US Navy.
“Today marks an important milestone for Australia and the Triton MQ-4C programme. As we prepare for final system integration and test flight, we are one step closer to delivering this outstanding maritime awareness capability to Australia."
According to its launch customer, the US Navy, the MQ-4C Triton is an autonomously operated system that provides maritime ISR capabilities. It is this maritime capability that persists using multiple maritime sensors.
The MQ-4C Triton aerial vehicle is based on the United States Air Force (USAF) RQ-4B Global Hawk. Meanwhile, the sensors are based on components (or entire systems) already placed in the DoD inventory.
Along with the P-8A manned aircraft, the MQ-4C Triton is an integral part of the US Navy Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance System (MPRF) Family. MPRF is the operational agent for the MQ-4C Triton and the Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group (CPRG) is the fleet sponsor for the manned/unmanned integration concept.
The following are the specifications of the Triton MQ-4C Drone, among others:
- Length: 47 feet 7 inches (14.5 m)
- Wingspan: 130 ft 11 in (39.9 m)
- Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.6 m)
- Empty weight: 14,945 lb (6,781 kg)
- Gross Weight: 32,250 lb (14,630 kg)
- Maximum speed: 357 mph (575 km/h, 320 kn)
- Range: 9,400 mi (15,200 km, 8,200 nmi)
- Endurance: 30 hours
- Service ceiling: 56,000 feet (17,000 m)