Northrop Grumman Delivers First Operational MQ-4C Triton Aircraft to US Navy

Northrop Grumman has delivered the first operational MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system to the US Navy facility at Point Mugu, for maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission.

 “Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned system that delivers a critical autonomous capability to the Navy, expanding the service’s maritime patrol mission,” Doug Shaffer, vice president, Triton programs, Northrop Grumman said Friday.

Northrop Grumman is expected to deliver the second operational Triton aircraft later this year. Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu is home to the maintenance detachment of Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP) 19.

Maintainers will prepare the first two operational Triton aircraft for its employment to Guam, scheduled next year. VUP-19, the Navy’s first unmanned patrol squadron, is based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. Pilots and operators will fly the unmanned Triton aircraft from NAS Jacksonville.

The Navy has announced plans to deploy Triton to NAS Mayport, Florida, NAS Sigonella, Italy and the Middle East in the future.