Australia’s new $100m MQ-4C Triton spy drone to be delivered by mid next year

A giant uncrewed spy drone is on target for 24/7 patrols along Australia’s north coast and Indo Pacific sea lanes and trade routes by mid next year.

Australia will have 24-7 eyes over the Indo Pacific, its sea lanes and our northern shores for the first time by the middle of next year with the RAAF to receive its first $100 million dollar “albatross”.

And the acquisition could not come soon enough as authorities fear people smugglers will spread lies about the recent High Court decision on detention to encourage more asylum seekers to make the perilous journey here.

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton with a wing span akin to a 737-800, in trials ahead of delivery to the RAAF. Picture: Supplied,

The US aerospace and defence giant Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first test flight milestone of Australia’s multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aircraft.

The Triton spy drone, with a wingspan similar to that of a 737-800, is the only uncrewed, high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft able to perform persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

In November 2023, Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully completed the first flight of Australia’s multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton uncrewed high altitude and long endurance maritime surveillance aircraft in California. Picture: Supplied

After several production delays, notably during Covid, both the US and Australian acquisitions were back on track with the RAAF to receive the first of its four Tritons by mid next year.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the aircraft would be a great complement to the crewed Boeing P-8A Poseidon spy plane.

“That program is bubbling along and we are happy with the progress being made there,” he said.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy with Commanding Officer of 11 Squadron Wing Commander Adam Saber during the announcement to boost the Australian Defence Force's fleet of 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Response aircraft.

“There have been historical delays but under the new government we are confident that the first vehicle will arrive in the middle of 2024. We have signed a significant sustainment contract with Northup Grumman to support it out of RAAF Edinburgh and RAAF Tindal and we are confident we will get the capability on the agreed timelines.”

That sustainment contract alone was worth $220 million with each aircraft worth more than $100 million.

In November 2023, Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully completed the first flight of Australia’s multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton uncrewed high altitude and long endurance maritime surveillance aircraft in California. Picture: Supplied,

RAAF personnel have already been training to remotely fly the Triton, including a review team in San Diego watching the maiden flight of their aircraft, complete with the tail carrying the Black Browed Albatross crest of the newly re-raised RAAF 9 Squadron.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Robert Chipman said the Triton would provide “real time intelligence and situational awareness to greatly enhance joint military responses and operations”.

This includes Operation Resolute, the military component of Operation Sovereign Borders which the ADF has already admitted to having provided “surge support” this year to detect and deter boats trying to reach Australia.

Earlier this month 12 refugees made it to the Anjo Peninsula in Western Australia and walked inland after their asylum seeker boat slipped into Australian water undetected.

Defence sources said with the Triton capability this was less likely to happen given its array of sensors and radars and ability to fly endurance of up to 30 hours with a range of more than 15,000km.