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Details regarding Australia’s planned acquisition of up to seven MQ-4C Triton aircraft are subject to the Albanese government’s newly launched review, Defence has confirmed.
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Speaking following the unveiling of Australia’s first Northrop Grumman MQ-4c Triton aircraft, head of Air Force Capability, Air Vice-Marshal Robert Denney confirmed a decision on the ultimate size of the prospective fleet would be informed by recommendations of the Defence Strategic Review, to be handed down in March next year.
Three platforms have been ordered thus far, with the potential for an additional four aircraft.
“The final number to be acquired will be a decision for the government, which will be made most likely after the outcomes of the Defence Strategic Review are known,” AVM Denney said.
AVM Denney went on to confirm the final order would be influenced by the former Morrison government’s decision to cancel the AIR 7003 Phase 1 project – a $1.3 billion program to deliver up to 12 General Atomics-built MQ-9B SkyGuardian armed medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft systems to the RAAF.
The first Triton aircraft, showcased on Thursday (15 September) during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman’s production site in California, is on track for completion in 2023 ahead of final delivery to Australia in mid-2024.
Northrop Grumman has commenced production of the other two Triton aircraft contracted for delivery from 2025.
In a separate statement, AVM Denney said the project is “pushing the boundaries of air power”, providing a “foundational capability” and a “growth path for future decades”.
He added: “Once in service, the remotely piloted high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) aerial system will significantly enhance our ability to persistently patrol Australia’s north and north-western approaches, in the south-west Pacific and south to Antarctica.
“Triton will complement the surveillance role of the P-8A Poseidon by providing sustained operations at long ranges, and undertaking a range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.”
Head of Aerospace Systems Division, Air Vice-Marshal Leon Phillips, lauded Defence’s ongoing partnership with the United States Navy and Northrop Grumman via the Triton Cooperative Program.
“This project is an excellent example of the successful partnership between our two nations and reflects the collaborative work between Defence and defence industry in delivering this strategic capability,” AVM Phillips said.
“Defence will invest more than $900 million in Australian industry, including sustainment, ICT and facilities.”
The Tritons are tipped to deliver over 24-hour endurance, collecting essential ISR data over land and sea to enable rapid, informed decision making.
The HALE systems have also been designed to support future connectivity with the joint force, leveraging advanced autonomy and artificial intelligence/machine learning.
Once operational, the MQ-4C Tritons are set to be primarily based at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory and controlled from facilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
[Related: First RAAF MQ-4C Triton unveiled ]
