Australia Unveiled First MQ-4C Triton

01 Agustus 2024

Introduction of the MQ-4C Triton aircraft into the Royal Australia Air Force fleet at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory (photos: Aus DoD)

The Albanese Government has unveiled Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System – ‘AUS 1’ – to be operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). 

Revealed at RAAF Base Tindal by the Deputy Prime Minister, the MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft that will provide persistent surveillance across Australia’s maritime approaches. The aircraft will complement the ADF’s crewed P-8A Poseidon fleet as a ‘family of systems’ to undertake enhanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of Defence operations.

The four MQ-4C Triton aircraft will be based at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory and operated by the Air Force’s reformed No. 9 Squadron, located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. 

The MQ-4C Triton project represents a $900 million investment in Australian industry for facilities construction, network integration, engineering, logistics, component manufacture and sustainment services. 

As part of this investment, Defence has signed an interim sustainment support contract valued at approximately $220 million with Northrop Grumman Australia, creating 110 technical jobs for highly skilled workers in South Australia and in the Northern Territory as a result of the project.

(Aus DoD)