Australia’s First MQ-4C Triton Uncrewed Aircraft Takes Flight

Northrop Grumman has announced the inaugural flight of Australia's multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aircraft on Thursday, November 9.

The event unfolded at the Palmdale Aircraft Integration Center in California.

Built for the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force, the multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton is the only uncrewed, high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft performing persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting. The first flight occurred at 11:56 a.m. PST with total flight time of approximately 6 hours and 24 minutes. Airworthiness evaluations, such as engine, flight control and fuel system checks, and basic aircraft handling tests were conducted.

Notably, the Australian government, in a strategic move, revealed plans to expand its Triton fleet by adding a fourth aircraft in September.

In a historic achievement, the MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aerial system secured a declaration of initial operating capability (IOC) from the U.S. Navy on August 3, 2023.