Triton Takes to the Air



   
       
           
       
       
           
       
   

The U.S. Navy's MQ-4 Triton has its first flight. Northrop Grumman photo by Bob Brown.

By Brett Davis



The U.S. Navy's MQ-4C Triton, the maritime version of the Global Hawk that is the heart of the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance program, had its first flight on 22 May, aircraft builder Northrop Grumman announced.



"First flight represents a critical step in maturing Triton's systems before operationally supporting the Navy's maritime surveillance mission around the world," says Capt. James Hoke, Triton program manager with Naval Air Systems Command. "Replacing our aging surveillance aircraft with a system like Triton will allow us to monitor ocean areas significantly larger with greater persistence."



Triton is capable of flying for up to 24 hours at a stretch at altitudes of up to 10 miles, giving it coverage of 2,000 nautical miles. The system can carry a variety of sensors and payloads.



In its first flight, the Triton reached an altitude of 20,000 feet and flew for 80 minutes in restricted airspace over company facilities in Palmdale, Calif., according to Naval Air Systems Command. Additional flights will take place over Palmdale before the system moves to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., later this year.



Ultimately, the Navy plans to buy 68 of the aircraft to operate alongside the new manned P-8A Poseidon, a new multimission aircraft. Together they will replace the P-3C Orion long-range, antisubmarine warfare aircraft fleet.



"When operational, the MQ-4C will complement our manned P-8 because it can fly for long periods, transmit its information in real time to units in the air and on ground, as well as use less resources than previous surveillance aircraft," says Rear Adm. Sean Buck, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group commander, who also witnessed today's flight. "Triton will bring an unprecedented ISR capability to the warfighter."