Deployment and Operation of the MQ-4C Triton UAV
MQ-4C prototypes in testing phase
The US Navy received its first Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance drones in the late XNUMXs, and deliveries of the same aircraft to the Royal Australian Navy have recently begun. Full-scale production drones allows the two countries to strengthen their intelligence Aviation in important areas, with particular attention being paid to the Pacific region.
From project to operation
The promising heavy long-range reconnaissance UAV MQ-4C Triton was developed by Northrop Grumman at the turn of the 2013s and 2014s. Flight tests of the first prototype of this type began in May 15. Then two more prototypes were built for full-scale testing. Their factory testing continued until XNUMX-XNUMX.
In November 2015, the VX-20 Flight Test Squadron (Patuxent River Air Base, Maryland) organized joint tests of prototype UAVs. As part of these events, the overall readiness of the project and the possibility of adopting the new equipment into service were tested. Overall, the Navy was pleased with the result.
Thanks to this, already in February 2016 the Pentagon issued the first contract to Northrop Grumman for serial production of MQ-4C products "at a low rate". The document provided for the construction of about 20 new UAVs up to and including the 2021 fiscal year. The first products were expected in the coming years. In the shortest possible time, they were going to be brought to the stage of initial operational readiness.
The first production MQ-4C was delivered the fleet in May 2018. Since the customer already had experience working with similar equipment, preparation for full operation did not take much time. Initial readiness was soon announced. In parallel, construction and equipment deliveries continued.
Triton UAV
Initially, the Navy planned to acquire 70 heavy drones to equip five reconnaissance squadrons. However, in 2023, these plans were significantly reduced. Now, we are talking about only 27 UAVs to equip three squadrons. Two of them will be combat and must solve operational tasks, and the third will train flight and technical personnel.
Second operator
Since the mid-2016s, the Australian Armed Forces have shown interest in the Triton. In 6, they announced their desire to purchase 7-XNUMX similar UAVs to enhance their reconnaissance capabilities. At the same time, negotiations began with the American side on the terms of a future contract.
The contract for the delivery of the first drones was signed in June 2018. So far, only four MQ-4Cs are involved. Two or three more aircraft may be ordered later, unless plans change or other significant factors arise.
In June 2024, Northrop Grumman delivered the first of the ordered drones to Australia. The Australian military began fielding the drones and reported initial capability shortly thereafter. The remaining drones under the current contract are expected to be delivered and additional orders placed in the coming years.
US Navy UAV
Even at the project development stage, it became known that the VX-20 flight test squadron would participate in the testing of the prototype equipment. It has extensive experience working with new aircraft of all classes, and it was to evaluate the promising UAV. Testing of the Triton product based on the VX-20 began in 2015. Later, the VX-20 squadron began training personnel for combat units responsible for operating the new UAVs.
In February 2013, the U.S. Navy established VUP-19, an unmanned patrol squadron. It was the successor to the previous Reconnaissance Squadron 19, which existed under various designations from 1946 to 1991. The new unit was based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida, with plans to temporarily deploy its units and UAVs to other bases both in the continental United States and overseas.
VUP-19 was originally planned to provide intelligence to the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleets of the U.S. Navy from multiple airfields. Its area of responsibility would cover a vast region including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
However, in 2014, it was decided to reduce the area of responsibility of the 19th squadron. To assist it, the squadron VUP-11 was formed, with its deployment at the Whidbey Island airfield (Washington). It was completely transferred to all operations in the interests of the 7th Fleet in the Pacific Ocean and some tasks to support the 5th Fleet in the Indian Ocean.
In the spring of 2018, the Navy received the first serial MQ-4C UAV. This machine and several others were sent to the VUP-19 squadron. After all the necessary procedures and activities, the drones were put into full operation. At the end of the decade, the VUP-11 squadron also received its first Tritons.
To date, Nortrop Grumman has only fulfilled a portion of its existing orders. There are no more than a dozen MQ-4C UAVs in service, but more are expected to be delivered soon. The current order for 27 aircraft is expected to be completed by the end of the decade. Most of the UAVs will go to reconnaissance squadrons, and a few will be transferred to the VX-20 flight test/trainer squadron.
The Triton UAV fleet is still limited in size, but both squadrons make active use of it. Reconnaissance sorties are regularly carried out in different areas of the areas of responsibility. The equipment is also temporarily transferred to new bases. For example, since 2020, UAVs from the 11th Squadron have repeatedly operated from Andersen Airfield on the island of Guam.
On April 8, it was announced that MQ-4Cs would be deployed to Kadena Air Base on the Japanese island of Okinawa in the next few weeks. The Japanese Defense Ministry explained this by the need to strengthen reconnaissance in the region due to the deteriorating military and political situation. It is not reported how long the American UAVs will remain in Okinawa.
Drones in Australia
Australia issued the first and so far only order for MQ-4C aircraft back in 2018. It provides for the delivery of four UAVs and does not exclude the purchase of additional equipment. After signing the contract, the Australian army began preparing for the future acceptance and operation of the new equipment. However, the necessary processes and activities stretched out over several years.
In June 2023, No. 9 Squadron was re-established as part of the Royal Australian Air Force. It inherited its number from two previous units that fought in World War II and the Vietnam War. The new squadron is based at Edinburgh Airfield.
In June 2024, Australia's 9th Squadron received its first MQ-4C UAV. It is known that this drone is already actively used to perform real-world tasks. It regularly flies to various areas of the Pacific Ocean, where it conducts reconnaissance.
In the coming years, Australia plans to receive three more drones under the current contract. The possibility of ordering two or three more machines is also being considered. It is obvious that the delivery of all this equipment will significantly expand the capabilities of the RAAF.
Special role
American and Australian MQ-4C Triton UAVs are designed to perform tasks in a vast region spanning three oceans. It is easy to see that special attention is paid to their use in the Pacific region. Thus, the United States has deployed one of its two squadrons on its west coast and regularly sends its equipment to overseas airfields. In addition, Australia receives similar drones.
The reasons for such deployment of unmanned squadrons are obvious. The United States has long declared its desire to strengthen its military presence in the Pacific Ocean. One of the components of this plan is to increase the number of reconnaissance drones in the region, as well as to organize their work in different directions.
The MQ-4C is currently one of the most advanced American developments in the field of reconnaissance UAVs. That is why such equipment occupies a key place in plans to strengthen reconnaissance. It should become one of the main means for surveillance and collecting information about a potential enemy.
Let us recall that the Triton is an unmanned aircraft of normal aerodynamic design, 14,5 m long and with a wingspan of about 40 m. The maximum takeoff weight of the device exceeds 14,6 tons. The device is equipped with a Rolls-Royce AE 3007 dual-circuit turbojet engine, which allows it to reach speeds of over 570 km/h and climb to an altitude of 17000 meters. The UAV can stay in the air for at least a day.
The drone has an autopilot and a remote control system. Data exchange with operators is carried out via satellite communications. The device can be equipped with optical-electronic and radio-technical reconnaissance systems with various characteristics and capabilities. According to the calculations of the developer company, the MQ-4C can survey an area of up to 4 million square nautical miles (more than 13,7 million square kilometers) per day of flight, depending on the type of equipment installed.
Realized potential
The MQ-4C UAV from Northrop Grumman is one of the most successful modern American developments of its class. The US Navy has recognized this and placed an order for mass production of such equipment. Now serial drones are entering combat squadrons and are entering service. In addition, the delivery of a small number of UAVs to Australia has begun.
In the coming years, a significant portion of the Triton fleet will be deployed to bases near the Pacific Ocean. This equipment will monitor a potential adversary in China and provide data to the Navy and other branches of the US armed forces. It is likely that the MQ-4C will make a decisive contribution to the planning of future actions and operations.
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