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Profile: MQ-4C Triton
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Amid the rising defence drone revolution, it is no surprise the RAAF purchased the MQ-4C Triton, an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), high altitude, long endurance (HALE), which will be essential for next generation maritime and surveillance roles. While none have been delivered to the RAAF yet, the aircraft will be based at the RAAF Base Edinburgh and will operate alongside the P-8A Poseidon aircraft that are replacing the AP-3C Orions.
A core reason the drones were purchased is because they can extend air power to cover distant and remote operating areas, where no significant air power exists. The Triton will provide fifth generation agility to be flexible, easily adjusted for mission needs and will always maintain an operational advantage to counter unexpected changes – or at least what the Australian Defence Force hopes for these powerful drones.
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The hunter-killer drone is set to support missions for up to 24 hours, is equipped with a sensor suite with a 360-degree view of surroundings for over 2,000 nautical miles, has de-icing and lightning protection systems and can fly 613 kilometres per hour, with a wingspan of 39.9 meters. The former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the contract in 2018 to purchase six Tritons, but the acquisition has been controversial given supposed problems with it operating in urban environments.
Last seen: Most recently, in December 2021, Northrop Grumman had advanced its development of the unmanned platforms for the RAAF, after an aircraft fuselage was mounted on the one-piece wing of Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) platform, marking a critical milestone in the production of the aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force.
Fleet: 6
Purchased: 2018
Length: 14m
Height: 4.7m
Speed: 613km/h
Operated by: No. 10 squadron
Based: RAAF Base Edinburgh
Range: 15,186km
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