The updated MQ-4C Triton drone is capable of completely replacing naval reconnaissance aircraft. Yesterday, on February 6, the press service of Northrop Grumman announced the delivery of the first production model of the MQ-4C Triton drone of the IFC-4 modification.
"The first serial, Triton standard 4 Integrated Functional Capability (IFC-4), upgraded to multi-intelligence configuration to meet the critical needs of the Navy in naval intelligence, surveillance and targeting, was delivered to the naval air base Patuxent river, Maryland", — reported the press service of Northrop Grumman.
MQ-4C Triton drone modification IFC-4
Image source: northropgrumman.com
The MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle of long flight duration designed for information collection, surveillance and reconnaissance in the coastal zone. Triton is built on the basis of the RQ-4 Global Hawk drone, also developed by Northrop Grumman, can climb to an altitude of over 17 km, fly at a speed of 575 km / h and stay in the air for up to 24 hours. The reconnaissance equipment of the new drone includes a multifunctional radar, a video camera, electro-optical/infrared sensors, radio intelligence, an automatic identification system (AIS) and relay equipment. This equipment allows the device to detect and automatically classify various types of surface objects.
The development of special drones for the needs of the fleet started in 2008, when the US Department of Defense and Northrop Grumman signed a long-term contract worth $ 1.16 billion for the development and construction of special drones that could replace manned reconnaissance aircraft. Four years later, the developers provided the Navy command with the first prototype of the MQ-4C Triton drone, and in 2014 it made its first flight. In the long term, the US Navy plans to purchase at least 68 units of the MQ-4C Triton, which will allow the abandonment of reconnaissance aircraft.
