Aircraft
Northrop Grumman Rolls Out First Australian Triton Surveillance UAV
The high-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed aircraft will operate on maritime surveillance duties alongside crewed P-8A Poseidons.
Australia’s first MQ-4C is seen during its unveiling ceremony at Palmdale. The Tritons are assigned serials in the ‘A57-xxx’ range. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
Australia’s first MQ-4C is seen during its unveiling ceremony at Palmdale. The Tritons are assigned serials in the ‘A57-xxx’ range. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)

Northrop Grumman unveiled the first MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) maritime surveillance UAV for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on September 14. The ceremony, held at the assembly and test facility at Palmdale, California, was attended by military and government officials from both the U.S. and Australia.

Construction of the first Australian aircraft began in October 2020 at Northrop Grumman’s production facility at Moss Point, Missouri. The fuselage and one-piece wing assemblies were mated in Palmdale in December 2021. The air vehicle is scheduled for completion in 2023, with delivery to Australia slated for the following year.