Production of the first Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned maritime ISR aircraft for the RAAF commenced in late October at the company’s Moss Point facility in Mississippi. Being acquired under a cooperative development program with the US Navy, the RAAF currently has a requirement for six MQ-4Cs, and the commonwealth has to date committed funding to three air vehicles, ground control segments, and the construction of facilities at two main operating bases and one forward operating base.
“The MQ-4C Triton will be a very important ISR capability for Australia,” RAAF’s air attaché to the Australian embassy, AIRCDRE Terry van Haren said in a statement. “It is ideally suited for Australian operating conditions, given its high altitude, long endurance, and impressive sensor suite. The Royal Australian Air Force looks forward to operating the MQ-4C alongside its other ISR and response aircraft such as the P8A Poseidon.”...MORE
