Northrop Grumman to ‘prototype’ enhanced sense and avoid systems for Triton

Air

11 May 2021

By: Liam Garman

Northrop Grumman to ‘prototype’ enhanced sense and avoid systems for Triton

Northrop Grumman is expected to partner with L3Harris and Thales joint venture Aviation Communications & Surveillance Systems to develop improved sense and avoid integrations for the MQ-4C Triton.

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Northrop Grumman has entered into an agreement with the US Navy for the creation of enhanced sense and avoid (SAA) integrations for the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton, further allowing the unmanned vehicle to work in closer confines with other aircraft.

Northrop Grumman is expected to partner with Thales and L3Harris joint venture Aviation Communications & Surveillance Systems (ACSS) for the creation and delivery of the new SAA integration. According to a statement released by Northrop Grumman, both companies have been working alongside the US Naval Air Systems Command for over five years to enhance industry standards in the field.

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The company outlines that the new technology will improve the ability for the US Navy and Royal Australian Air Force to conduct warfighting together.

Doug Shaffer, vice president and program manager, Triton programs at Northrop Grumman, welcomed the opportunity to improve the MQ-4C Triton’s SAA capabilities and improve the war fighting capabilities of the US and Australia who use the UAV system.

“Sense and avoid will help ensure our customers can safely operate Triton out of almost any airfield or airport in the world, in full compliance with current and emerging aviation regulations around the globe,” Shaffer said.

“Incorporating SAA capability will add tremendous flexibility to the Triton system and how the US Navy, Royal Australian Air Force and potential future customers seamlessly integrate Triton into their concepts of operation.”

Steve Alwin, ACSS president and vice president of engineering, outlined that the new upgrades will improve the ability for the Triton to operate in both unmanned and manned environments.

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“As a leader in integrated Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systems, we are actively driving innovation in operational efficiency and airspace safety for the emerging unmanned aircraft platforms,” Alwin said.

“Our sense and avoid solutions enable active collision avoidance, empowering them to operate safely in commercial airspace.”

The announcement from Northrop Grumman comes following their agreement with the US Army to deliver new common infrared countermeasure (CIRCM) capabilities, as part of a US$959.1 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract.

Liam Garman

Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media

Liam began his career as a speech writer at New South Wales Parliament before working for world leading campaigns and research agencies in Sydney and Auckland. Throughout his career, Liam has managed and executed international media and communications campaigns spanning politics, business, industrial relations and infrastructure. He’s since shifted his attention to researching and writing extensively on geopolitics and defence. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and a Masters in Strategy and Security with Excellence from UNSW Canberra, with a thesis on post-truth, postmodernism and disinformation operations.

Reach out to Liam via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.

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