On 14 September 2022, Northrop Grumman Corporation unveiled the first MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during a ceremony at its production site in California.
In March 2014, the Australian Government announced that it has committed to the acquisition of the Triton UAS, subject to the successful completion of the US Navy development programme. According to the current information Australia’s commitment is for six aircraft.
The MQ-4C Triton will be based at RAAF Edinburgh (SA) and will be introduced into service by mid-2023. All six aircraft are planned to be delivered and in operation by late 2025. According to ADF-serials the Tritons will get serials in the A57-xxx range.
Together with the the Gulfstream Aerospace MC-55A Peregrine, of which Australia has ordered four aircraft, the MQ-4C Triton will replace the two AP-3Cs still active in the ELINT/SIGINT role. The Peregrine and the Trion will strengthen the broader Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission for the RAAF.
Photo by Northrop Grumman Corporation
