Northrop Grumman Expands Australia MQ-4C Triton Support Team

17 April 2024

Australia’s first multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton takes to the skies for the first time on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 in Palmdale, Calif. (photo: Northrop Grumman)

BRISBANE, Australia – Northrop Grumman Australia (NYSE: NOC) has signed a contract with L3Harris Corporation (L3HCA) for the operation and maintenance of command-and-control systems aboard Australia’s MQ-4C Triton multi-intelligence uncrewed aircraft fleet. The collaboration is another milestone in advance of delivery of the platform to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Christine Zeitz, chief executive and general manager, Australia & New Zealand, Northrop Grumman: “L3Harris will support Triton’s wideband C3 functionality as we work collectively to deliver next-generation technology solutions that will help keep Australia safe.”

Andrew Rushbrook, managing director, L3Harris Communications Australia Pty Ltd, and regional vice president, L3Harris Tactical Communications: “L3Harris is delighted to be working with Northrop Grumman Australia to deliver this critical capability to the Commonwealth. Our wideband C3 solution for Australia’s MQ-4C Triton will help establish a world-class sovereign capability.”

Details on Triton

Built for the U.S. Navy and RAAF, the multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton supports a wide range of missions including maritime patrol, signals intelligence, search and rescue and communications relay. These aircraft provide commanders with persistent surveillance for the prediction of an adversary’s behavior, enabling better planning and enhancing joint military responses.

Northrop Grumman successfully completed the first flight of Australia’s MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aircraft at its Palmdale facility in California in November 2023. The flight marks a major production milestone as Northrop Grumman progresses toward delivery of Australia’s first Triton in 2024. All four Australian Tritons currently under contract are progressing as planned through their production schedules.

Northrop Grumman is establishing a dynamic support environment for the progressive delivery of the Triton systems into Australia. This includes establishing ground stations at RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia and facilitating air vehicles into RAAF Tindal, Northern Territory. The company is building a highly qualified Australian workforce across both locations, leveraging extensive knowledge and experience gained supporting U.S. Navy Triton operations.

Australia is part of the Triton cooperative program and is helping shape the requirements of the system. Together, U.S. and Australian defense forces will share data collected by their respective Tritons.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.

(Northrop Grumman)