Australia to Acquire Six MQ-4C Triton Maritime Unmanned Aerial Systems

26 Juni 2018

Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton (all images : Northrop Grumman, Aus DoD, US Navy)

Strengthening Australia’s Maritime Patrol Capability

The security of Australia’s maritime borders will be significantly strengthened with another major military investment.

The Turnbull Government will invest $1.4 billion and acquire the first of six MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft through a cooperative program with the United States Navy.

The Triton will complement the surveillance role of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft through sustained operations at long ranges as well as being able to undertake a range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.

Together these aircraft will significantly enhance our anti-submarine warfare and maritime strike capability, as well as our search and rescue capability.

Our number one priority is keeping Australians safe. This investment will protect our borders and make our region more secure.

As part of this investment Australia will also enter into a $200 million cooperative program with the United States Navy for the development, production and sustainment of the MQ-4C Triton.

Australia’s alliance with the US is our most important defence relationship, underpinned by strong cooperation in defence industry and capability development.

This cooperative program will strengthen our ability to to develop advanced capability and conduct joint military operations.

As part of the initial $1.4 billion investment in the Triton system, the Government will invest $364 million on new facilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh and RAAF Base Tindal, as well the necessary ground control systems, support and training required to implement a project of this nature.

The project is expected to create about 70 jobs across South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Northrop Grumman as supplier of the Triton will play a lead role in delivering the capability in Australia. This investment follows Northrop’s commitment to a $50 million advanced Electronic Sustainment Centre of Excellence at the new Western Sydney Airport.

Australia has already taken delivery of seven Poseidon aircraft and achieved Initial Operational Capability earlier this year. The full fleet of 12 Poseidon aircraft is expected to be delivered and in operation by 2022.

The first of the Triton aircraft is expected to be introduced into service in mid-2023 with all six aircraft planned to be delivered and in operation by late 2025, based at RAAF Base, Edinburgh in South Australia.

The Orion fleet has performed exceptionally on operations throughout its distinguished service, and the last of these aircraft will be over 40 years old when they are withdrawn from service in 2023. (Aus DoD)

Territory businesses to help deliver new Triton aircraft facilities

The Turnbull Government will invest around $110 million at RAAF Base Tindal to support Australia’s cutting edge new MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft, with Northern Territory businesses in the box seat to help deliver the infrastructure project.

The Triton aircraft will significantly increase Australia’s ability to secure our borders and enhance our anti-submarine warfare and maritime strike capability.

The unmanned aircraft can support missions of over 24 hours while covering an area of over one million square nautical miles; an area larger than Western Australia.

The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and Senator for the Northern Territory, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion said the Triton will require new hangars, administration and support facilities to be built at Tindal.

“These facilities works will be tendered in a way that will ensure that Northern Territory businesses are best placed to succeed in delivering these facilities,” Minister Payne said.

“The successful prime contractor will be required to implement a Local Industry Capability Plan (LICP) that will ensure small-to-medium businesses in the Northern Territory have the best opportunity to compete and win work.”

“The LICP is a successful Turnbull Government initiative that ensures local businesses can take advantage of the opportunities arising from our Defence infrastructure projects,” Minister Payne said.

Senator Scullion said the Turnbull Government was committed to supporting businesses and workers in the Top End.

“This is the Turnbull Government’s jobs and growth agenda at work. We are investing $8 billion in Defence facilities over the next decade and we are ensuring that local trades and suppliers have every opportunity to participate in this work,” Senator Scullion said.

“This is another demonstration of our commitment to Australia’s long-term national security, and our commitment to supporting Northern Territory business.” (AusDoD)