The MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance aircraft may appear over the Black Sea and near the southern borders of Russia
First MQ-4C in 2013
The US Navy is purchasing and distributing Northrop Grumman's latest MQ-4C Triton long-range reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles to combat units. New machines of this type are sent to remote bases to work in their respective regions. Another UAV recently arrived in Italy and can now fly in the Mediterranean region. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that Triton will reach the airspace of the Middle East and even the Black Sea.
Way to the troops
The MQ-4C Triton long-range high-altitude reconnaissance UAV was developed by Northrop Grumman in the early 4s for the US Navy. The goal of the project was to create a new modification of the existing RQ-XNUMX Global Hawk UAV, meeting the special requirements and needs of the naval aviation. It was assumed that in the future the new drone could take over some of the tasks of the P-3A Orion patrol aircraft and complement the new P-8A Poseidon.
In May 2013, the experienced Triton took off for the first time. At that time, the customer expected that serial UAVs would arrive in units by the end of 2015. It was planned to purchase approx. 90 units technology. However, the project encountered technical and organizational difficulties, which forced the customer and the contractor to reconsider the work schedule and the volume of future orders.
MQ-4C with Multi-Intelligence Upgrade in testing, 2021
The issue of the required amount of equipment and its cost was discussed until 2015, when the Pentagon and Congress agreed to purchase 70 UAVs. These plans remained relevant and were implemented until last year. In May 2023, under pressure from financial constraints and legislators, the Navy decided to reduce the series to 27 units, and also revised deployment plans drones at airfields.
Military and operational tests, as well as the initial development of new equipment, were carried out on the basis of the VX-20 test squadron from the Patuxen River base (Maryland). In 2016-17 The contracting company launched mass production of new UAVs, and in 2018 handed over to the customer the first finished products intended for full operation.
During deployment
The first production MQ-4Cs arrived at the unmanned reconnaissance squadron VUP-19, serving at the Jacksonville airfield (Florida). In early June 2018, the squadron announced that it had achieved initial operational capability. Until 2023 inclusive, the unit received six more UAVs, and by now it has reached full operational readiness.
One of the VUP-19 squadron's UAVs during an overseas deployment, 2020.
The Navy is about to form a second unmanned reconnaissance squadron - VUP-11. She will serve at the Whidbey Island base in the state. Washington. In the near future, Northrop-Grumman will begin supplying aircraft equipment for it. The entire process of formation, receipt and mastery of equipment, as well as reaching full operational readiness should be completed in 2026.
The US Navy plans to purchase a total of 27 new MQ-4C drones in the foreseeable future. Accurate information about their distribution among squadrons is not yet available. Apparently, it is planned to equip three units with such equipment and give each unit 8 units. technology. The remaining 3 UAVs will go into reserve or receive a training role in the corresponding squadron.
Forward based
According to service and deployment plans, the reconnaissance unmanned squadrons will be based at airfields in the continental United States. This provides for the deployment and forward deployment of UAVs abroad. Through this deployment, it is planned to ensure the presence of Triron drones in different areas of the planet and obtain appropriate patrol and reconnaissance capabilities.
Opening of the MQ-4C hangar at Sigonella AFB, March 2, 2024. Cutting the ribbon are (from left) VUP-19 Commander Ronald Rumfelt Jr., US Naval Air Commander Daniel Cheever, and Sigonella AFB Commander Aaron Shoemaker.
For the first time, MQ-4C and their operators were sent to a remote base in January 2020. Two unmanned systems from VUP-19 with flight and technical personnel departed for Andersen Air Force Base (Guam Island). Since then, drones have been busy monitoring and reconnaissance of the situation in nearby seas. Essentially, they monitor the activities of China's military. According to some reports, rotation of equipment and crews is envisaged - from time to time operators and technicians replace each other and go home.
In mid-2021, two UAVs from Guam flew to the Misawa base on the island. Honshu (Japan). The purpose of this operation was to practice the redeployment of a unit and its assets, as well as to organize a short stay at a new site with the solution of a full range of tasks. In October of the same year, the drones returned to Andersen Base.
On March 30, 2024, one of the Tritons of the 19th squadron arrived at the airfield of the Sigonella naval base on the island. Sicily (Italy). Apparently, a second American drone will appear at the Italian airfield in the near future, but there is no exact information on this matter. The possible timing of the formation of such a unit is also unknown.
Arrival of Triton at Sigonella Base, March 30, 2024
It is reported that the MQ-4C from the Sigonella base will operate in the nearest regions within the combat radius. The UAV's area of responsibility will include the entire Mediterranean, and probably also Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The drone will have to monitor the situation in given areas, the actions of third countries, etc. At the same time, the new Triton of naval aviation will complement other US UAVs operating in the region.
It cannot be ruled out that the American Triton will appear over the Black Sea. In recent years, US and NATO manned and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft have regularly appeared in the region and monitored the activities of the Russian military. Since February 2022, intelligence data obtained in such missions has been used by NATO headquarters in the interests of the Kyiv regime.
Previously, the US Navy announced that the VUP-19 squadron would create three unmanned flights for deployment at forward bases. Two of them are already in service or are preparing for it, and the third has not yet reached deployment. It is unknown where the third pair of UAVs will be sent.
MQ-4C in Sicily
According to last year's plans, MQ-4Cs will operate at only three overseas bases, while five were previously planned. At the same time, no more than 10-12 drones will be involved in such a deployment, depending on the needs in each specific direction. Another 15-17 units. will remain on US territory and operate from local airfields, ensure rotation of deployed equipment, etc. At the same time, a fleet of 27 UAVs will allow, if necessary, to increase the number of units and forward-based equipment.
It should be noted that the MQ-4C Triton is not only purchased by the US Navy. The second customer of such equipment was the Australian Air Force. They want to receive up to 7-8 UAVs, and this order is already half completed. The drones will be deployed at Tindal and Edinburgh bases in the north and south of the country. It is obvious that Australian Tritons will be involved in international programs, and the United States will have access to the results of their work and application. With certain reservations, Australian UAVs can be added to the American forward-deployed Tritons.
Desired features
Thus, the United States, represented by the armed forces and other structures, continues to build and develop its air fleet of heavy, long-range, high-altitude UAVs of several main types. In the course of such processes, their reconnaissance capabilities increase accordingly and the areas in which permanent or regular air duty are possible increase.
The US Navy is trying to keep up with other structures and is also forming its own fleet of heavy UAVs. In the past, this process has encountered certain limitations due to which the plans made had to be seriously curtailed. Now, the updated and reduced MQ-4C Triton UAV procurement program has reached full implementation, and the desired equipment is being delivered to units. In addition, mastered drones are sent to forward bases - and give the Navy the reconnaissance capabilities it needs in remote regions.
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