U.S. Navy’s MQ-4C Triton Achieves Initial Operating Capability

Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aircraft achieved a declaration of initial operating capability (IOC) by the U.S. Navy.

MQ-4C Triton is the U.S. Navy’s only uncrewed, high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft performing persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.

With an operating altitude greater than 50,000 feet and endurance of 24 hours, Triton provides continuous communications relay to keep a distributed Navy connected, while ensuring commanders are operating off a common operational picture. Its unparalleled, long-range sensors allow it to detect, classify and track maritime targets well outside the detection of enemy ships and surface-to-air missiles.

In one 24-hour mission, Triton can survey four million nautical miles.

Since achieving early operational capability in May 2020, the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet employed Triton in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility conducting maritime and reconnaissance missions.

Northrop Grumman has delivered five multi-intelligence Triton aircraft to the U.S. Navy, with the latest delivered June 2023.