MQ-4C Triton Completes Operational Assessment
Photo: Northrop Grumman.
Today, Northrop Grumman announced that its MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft has completed its operational assessment for the U.S. Navy. Pending a final analysis of this milestone, which occurred at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, it clears the maritime variant of the Global Hawk to transition to low-rate initial production.
The platform was tested for more than 60 hours in the air by Air Test and Evaluation Squadrons VX-1 and VX-20 and Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19. The teams look at sensor imagery and validated the performance of the Triton’s radar at different altitudes and ranges.
"Operational assessment for Triton included several flights which exercised the weapon system through operationally relevant scenarios that demonstrated its readiness to meet the Navy's maritime intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance needs," says Doug Shaffer, vice president of Triton programs at Northrop Grumman. "As a result of the flight tests, the program moves one step closer to a milestone C decision later this spring."
