The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has unveiled the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) first MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System known as ‘AUS 1’.
Revealed at RAAF Base Tindal by the Deputy Prime Minister, the MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft that will provide persistent surveillance across Australia’s maritime approaches.
The aircraft will complement the Australian Defence Force’s crewed P-8A Poseidon fleet as a ‘family of systems’ to undertake enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of defense operations.
Will be based in Northern Territory
The four MQ-4C Triton aircraft will be based at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, operated by the Air Force’s reformed No. 9 Squadron, located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.
The MQ-4C Triton project represents a $900 million investment in the Australian industry for facilities construction, network integration, engineering, logistics, component manufacture, and sustainment services.
As part of this investment, the DoD has signed an interim sustainment support contract valued at approximately $220 million with Northrop Grumman Australia.
Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, said, “We must continue to enhance our operations from Australia’s northern bases, and the MQ-4C Triton is a tangible example of a capability that will assist us in achieving this task.”
Provide safety to maritime borders
Pat Conroy, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, said the MQ-4C Triton will significantly enhance the security of Australia’s maritime borders—a key priority supported by the Integrated Investment Program and outlined in the National Defence Strategy .
He added that the Triton’s arrival represents a significant milestone for the Air Force and demonstrates the success of the cooperative program with the United States Navy.
Australian Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, said, “As a complement to our existing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, the MQ-4C Triton will significantly enhance our ability to persistently patrol Australia’s north and broader maritime approaches.
The MQ-4C Triton will deliver unprecedented persistence and awareness over the maritime domain to support the integrated, focused force.
Uncrewed aerial systems offer enormous potential to capitalize on the opportunities provided by modern payloads and increased endurance.
MQ-4C Triton
The MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system is a high-altitude aircraft. Its endurance means it can stay airborne longer than a traditional aircraft in which the pilot is inside.
Operational staff, such as aircrew, intelligence, operations and administration officers, engineers, and logisticians, can analyze and communicate the information gathered by the Triton.
It can fly at 373 miles per hour to a range of 15,000 kilometers and at 50,000 feet above the ground.
The Triton platform has been under development by the United States Navy since 2008.
It builds on the Global Hawk UAS elements, with reinforcements to the airframe and wing. It also has de-icing and lightning protection systems, which allow it to descend through cloud layers and gain a closer view of ships and other targets at sea.
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