US approves Triton UAV for production

[Zarvan]

The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton programme received Milestone C approval on 22 September, clearing the way for low-rate production. The UAV is pictured here during flight testing. Source: Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems/US Navy
The Pentagon has approved the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for low-rate initial production (LRIP), the US Navy (USN) announced on 22 September.

The Milestone C decision, signed by Pentagon acquisition executive Frank Kendall, "brings us closer to delivering a new capability to the fleet that will change the way our navy executes ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance]," Sean Burke, Triton programme manager, said in a statement.

The MQ-4C will provide persistent ISR within a range of 2,000 n miles using maritime radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, electronic support measures (ESM), automatic identification system (AIS), and a communications relay.

Scheduled to deploy in fiscal year 2018, Triton will be paired with the manned Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, which the USN has already fielded.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is also expected to procure up to seven Tritons, with fielding expected in 2023. Those will work with eight P-8As ordered by the RAAF, as well as a legacy fleet of 15 Lockheed AP-3C Orions.

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http://www.janes.com/article/64062/us-approves-triton-uav-for-production

 

[Godman]

Finally

 

[TruthSeeker]

OK! First deployment: West Philippine Sea!!