Photo courtesy Northrop Grumman.

by Scott Kesselman



Yesterday, a U.S. Navy- and Northrop Grumman-led flight test team completed the inaugural flight for the navy’s second MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial system out of Palmdale, California.



The 6.7-hour flight was the first step in preparing for a cross-country trip to join the first Triton at a navy facility later this month.



“Our team worked incredibly hard to get the second Triton ready for first flight, which will help us plan its ferry flight to Naval Air Station Patuxent River,” says Mike Mackey, Triton program director. “We’re eager to continue working with the navy during the next phase of Triton’s flight test program to speed up its availability to the warfighter.”



The navy plans to field 68 Tritons in the program.