The first of four MQ-4C Tritons have arrived in the Territory
The first of four billion dollar Defence Force babies has just arrived in the Territory. Read what they’ll be used for.
Northern Territory
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Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton has arrived at the Territory’s RAAF Base Tindal and is in the process of being prepared for formal delivery to Defence.
Australia will spend $5bn acquiring four of the 15m drones - and the first arrived in the Territory late last week after several months of preparation in the United States.
In January the ‘trailerised’ forward operating base, which will be the initial ground mission control station for the Triton, was successfully delivered to Tindal.
Then in February the Triton was flown by project partner Northrop Grumman from Palmdale, California to Patuxent River, Maryland.
It was then handed over to the United States navy for final testing, fit-out and certification before this month’s final journey to Australia.
Defence says when it enters operational service, the Triton will provide the Australian Defence Force with additional capability for a range of maritime patrol and surveillance responsibilities.
Head of Air Force Capability, Air Vice-Marshal Wendy Blyth, said Australia was acquiring four MQ-4C Triton aircraft and associated ground support systems through a cooperative program with the USN, in collaboration with the manufacturer of the Triton, Northrop Grumman, which includes training.
“RAAF Triton aircrew have undertaken extensive training by the US navy at Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida,” Air Vice-Marshal Blyth said.
“These personnel received the same training as their USN counterparts and gained valuable experience to ensure that Air Force is able to deploy the Triton effectively.”
She said last week’s arrival marked years of close collaboration between our allies and industry.
The US Army and ADF are the only two defence forces to operate the Triton, a high-altitude long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft system which will provide long-range, persistent surveillance across Australia’s maritime approaches and into the region.
This capability will complement the ADF’s crewed P-8A Poseidon fleet as a “family of systems” to undertake enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks to support Defence operations.
“The MQ-4C Triton will deliver unprecedented persistence and awareness over the maritime domain in support of the Integrated Force,” Air Vice-Marshal Blyth said.
“Uncrewed aerial systems offer enormous potential to capitalise on the opportunities provided by modern payloads and increased endurance.
“This will significantly enhance our ability to persistently patrol Australia’s north and northwestern approaches; in the south-west Pacific and south to Antarctica.”
Based at RAAF Base Tindal, the Tritons will be operated by the Air Force’s reformed 9 Squadron, located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.
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Originally published as The first of four MQ-4C Tritons have arrived in the Territory
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