ASIM, apr 17
Northrop Grumman Australia (NYSE: NOC) has entered into a contract with L3Harris Corporation (L3HCA) for the operation and maintenance of command-and-control systems on Australia’s MQ-4C Triton multi-intelligence unmanned aircraft fleet, marking another significant step ahead of the platform’s delivery to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Designed for the U.S. Navy and RAAF, the MQ-4C Triton supports various missions, including maritime patrol, signals intelligence, search and rescue, and communications relay. These aircraft offer persistent surveillance capabilities, allowing commanders to predict adversary behavior, improve planning, and enhance joint military responses.
Northrop Grumman recently completed the inaugural flight of Australia’s MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft at its Palmdale facility in California in November 2023, marking a key production milestone as the company moves forward with the delivery of Australia’s first Triton in 2024. Progress on all four Australian Tritons currently under contract is proceeding as scheduled through their production schedules. Additionally, Northrop Grumman is creating a robust support framework for the gradual introduction of Triton systems into Australia, including establishing ground stations at RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia, and facilitating air vehicles into RAAF Tindal, Northern Territory. The company is also cultivating a highly skilled Australian workforce across both locations, drawing on extensive expertise gained from supporting U.S. Navy Triton operations. As part of the Triton cooperative program, Australia is actively contributing to shaping the system’s requirements, and both U.S. and Australian defense forces will share data collected by their respective Tritons. Northrop Grumman remains at the forefront of aerospace and defense technology, delivering innovative solutions that empower customers to safeguard and explore the world while overcoming complex challenges.
