Northrop Grumman Awarded $333Mn to Produce 3 MQ-4C Triton UAVs for Australia

Northrop Grumman is awarded a $333,401,760 modification for the production and delivery of three low-rate initial production MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft for the government of Australia.

The contract includes two main operating bases and one forward operating base in an integrated functional capability-four and multiple-intelligence configuration, with associated export compliance and support for the government of Australia, A Pentagon announcement said.

Work is expected to be completed by April 2025.

Northrop Grumman had announced June 19 the Australian government’s decision to provide funding for an additional three of their planned six MQ-4C Tritons and associated ground mission control stations.

The MQ-4C Triton is a cooperative development program between the Royal Australian Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Operating at altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet, Triton can cover more than 2 million square miles of ocean and littorals in a single flight, bringing unprecedented awareness to operational commanders’ common operating pictures.

In addition to the aircraft, Australia has also committed funds for the main operating base at RAAF Edinburgh in South Australia and a forward operating base at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory. The main operating base allows for a permanent control station while the forward operating base enables deployment of the Triton system to support Australian national security requirements. The U.S. Navy – with a program of record for 68 aircraft – is planning five operational Triton orbits around the globe. Australia would be able to provide a sixth.