In November, Northrop Grumman delivered the first operational MQ-4C Triton aircraft to the U.S. Navy facility at Point Mugu. Now, Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to acquire an initial production of three MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial aircrafts, included in a plan to purchase 68 Tritons to modernize the Navy's UAV fleet.
The MQ-4C Triton is a derivative of the RQ-4 Global Hawk surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle. The Navy plans to use the Triton alongside the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft as the Navy's primary long-range aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. The terms of the deal, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, come under a $255.3 million a fixed-price-incentive contract, which is a modification to a previously awarded contract.
The Triton has a range of over 9,000 miles and can hover for up to 24 hours before needing to refuel. Triton is designed as a sensor platform for high-altitude, long-endurance surveillance missions over ocean and coastal areas, deploying its maritime radar, electro-optical and infrared cameras, communications relays and electronic support measures systems.
