MQ-4C makes first flight

The first MQ-4C Triton made its first flight from Palmdale. The flight lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes, and reached 20,000 feet. The MQ-4 is a highly modified RQ-4 Global Hawk, designed for the Navy, to perform surveillance at sea.

The Navy has ordered 68 Tritons, which will work in concert with the P-8 Poseidon as P-3 replacements. Australia has requested information on the Triton, and it's thought Canada is considering them as well.

The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned air system (UAS) has made its first flight.

The flight 1h 20m flight from Northrop's Palmdale, California facility reached 20,000ft (7,000m) altitude.

“Our goal is to mature the Triton UAS before supporting the Navy’s maritime [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] mission,” said Capt. Jim Hoke, programme manager for Triton . “The data we collect the next few years is essential to certify the system for operational use.”

The MQ-4C is a heavily modified version of the RQ-4 Global Hawk, replacing the original surveillance equipment with an electronically-scanned maritime radar, amongst other things.

www.flightglobal.com...

reply to post by Zaphod58

Well now, if they can just get some form of UAV refueling arrangement, it'll be as good as automated from start to finish with insanely long patrol periods. The Pacific is our puddle by drone alone. lol.... Nice upgrade to things. Hold the armed model, IMO. Nice watch capability though. Piracy will become a past tense venture, for about the first time in history, I'd say. There are at least 3-4 high piracy areas these can likely get a lot of use in, when not in a war situation elsewhere.

oooo.... These would likely give incredibly high resolution platforms to watch Hurricanes with, with a bit more work.

I can really see some potential all around....and Hurricanes are part of Navy responsibility, aren't they? It might even fit sooner than later?

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


NASA has at least one Global Hawk they've used to watch hurricanes with. they fly above them and image them with it.

Video of the first flight.