US Navy To Test Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAS

The US Navy has started operational assessment trials of Northrop Grumman's MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system.

The US Navy will use the trails to support the MQ-4 Milestone C review and entry into low-rate initial production.

The operational assessment will take place over two months, the US Naval Air Systems Command said. The Triton UAS will perform six flights and execute various operational test scenarios.

The set scenarios will demonstrate Triton's collection of data in support of fleet customers while exercising each of the system's mission areas including intelligence, surface warfare, amphibious warfare and missions of state, UPI reported Thursday.

"We worked very hard to demonstrate system performance and stability leading up to the start of operational assessment," said Sean Burke, Triton program manager.

"We are eager to move into initial production as the next step to delivering Triton to the fleet." Burke added. The Navy plans to eventually buy 68 surveillance MQ-4C Tritons with the three operational by 2017.