Northrop Grumman has announced that the Australian government will purchase a second MQ-4C Triton UAS from the company.

​The UAS will be delivered through a cooperative program between Northrop Grumman and the United States Navy.

“Northrop Grumman is excited to develop this unrivaled capability for the Royal Australian Air Force,” says Doug Shaffer, vice president and program manager, Triton programs, Northrop Grumman. “Triton will provide the Australian Defence Force a high-altitude, long-endurance system for intelligence, reconnaissance and broad area surveillance missions to enhance the security of Australia’s borders.”

Some of the threats that Triton’s capabilities can address are “people smuggling and the exploitation of our natural resources,” says Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne.

Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds adds that “there will be significant opportunity for Australian industry to share in billions of dollars of system maintenance and network management functions.”

“We are proud of our partnership with the Australian government and Australian industry, which we exemplified in the recent signing of the Australian Industry Capability Deed with the Minister for Defence Industry at the Avalon Airshow,” says Chris Deeble, country executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “To date we have partnered with several Australian entities to assist in the production and sustainment of the Triton unmanned aircraft system in Australia. Initiatives like this ensure local companies benefit from the investment in Australia’s security, and we take great pride in contributing to this.”

Australia’s 2016 Defence White Paper identified the requirement for seven high altitude, long endurance Triton UAS.

Below: From left to right, Northrop Grumman Chairman and CEO Wes Bush, Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull, Australian Minister for Defence Marise Payne, Australian Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne and Australia’s Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies AO, CSC, at a ceremony marking the sale. Photo: Northrop Grumman