The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has completed its inaugural flight equipped with a new radar system, following its first flight from Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland on April 16.
The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) stated that the flight marking the start of sensor testing activities was conducted on April 18 in airspace over Patuxent River.
The AN/ZPY-3 Multi-Function Active Sensor (MFAS) active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar is expected to greatly enhance maritime domain awareness by providing Triton with a 360-degree view of a large area, while providing all-weather coverage to expedite detecting, classifying, tracking and identifying potential targets, according to NAVAIR.
“This first sensor flight is a huge achievement for the program,” said Sean Burke, program manager for the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office headquartered at Pax River.
“Our [US] Navy and Northrop Grumman team has worked extremely hard on this developmental effort, completing more than 40 surrogate flights over the last three years, and we saw the realisation of that development work.”
During this initial test event, the MFAS radar exercised its primary operating mode known as maritime surface surveillance, which provides a continuous monitoring capability covering a broad area.
Triton aircraft will also be equipped with the MTS-B Multi-Spectral Targeting System, which provides electro-optical, infrared, laser designation and laser illumination capabilities; an electronic support measures (ESM) package to identify and geolocate radar threat signals; and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) capability to detect and track vessels with AIS responders.
The federal government has committed to acquiring the UAS for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) subject to the satisfactory execution of the US Navy development program.
Triton is intended to complement the Boeing P-8A Poseidon, replacing the AP-3C Orion under AIR 7000. About seven of the high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) aircraft are expected to eventually be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, north of Adelaide.
The precise number to be acquired by Australia, and their scheduled introduction into service date, is anticipated to be considered by the government at some point next year, following the release of the 2015 Defence White Paper.
