Northrop Grumman Wins MQ-4C Triton Drone Support Contract for Australian Navy
U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman photo by Alex Evers/Released
A contract worth $65 million has been awarded to Northrop Grumman for drone support facilities for the Australian government. The contract covers components for the manufacture, delivery and support of three MQ-4C Triton drones for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Announcing the specifics of the deal Australia’s Department of Defence said that it calls for long-lead production components for the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft. Equipment and materials for ground stations for all three drones are also covered in the contract.
The MQ-4C Triton is designed to provide aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance over ocean and coastal regions.
The unmanned aircraft is already under development for the Navy and is based on the company’s RQ-4B Global Hawk drone used by the U.S. Air Force.
Physical attributes of the Triton: it is just less than 50 feet long and has a 130-foot wingspan, and can remain aloft for more than 24 hours at a time.
The aircraft can fly at altitudes higher than 10 miles for more than 24 hours, with an operational range of 8,200 nautical miles.
The drones can also descend and ascend through harsh maritime weather environments to gain a closer view of ships and other targets at sea.
The system consists of the high-altitude, long endurance MQ-4C air vehicle, sensor payloads and supporting ground control stations.
The system provides real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions over ocean and coastal regions as well as continuous maritime surveillance conduct search and rescue missions. They complement the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
Work on the contract is expected to be completed by next June which includes sustainment and engineering support for the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft surveillance system. The contract also includes technical expertise of field service representatives, logistics and test support to ensure MQ-4C air vehicles and mission control and operator training systems are fully sustained and mission capable.