Triton embarks on test programme following first IFC-4 flight
An MQ-4C Triton taxis at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. (Photo: USAF/Senior Airman Michael Murphy)
USN hopes a comprehensive test programme for MQ-4C in its latest configuration will pave the way for IOC in 2023.
The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance UAV, which successfully flew for the first time in its Integrated Functional Capability Four (IFC-4) configuration on 29 July at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, is starting a test programme aimed at achieving IOC by late 2023.
CAPT Dan Mackin, USN Triton programme manager, said on 3 August that the test programme will ‘look to validate all the capabilities Triton has from current systems and that they are going to continue to have along with the COMINT and IMINT [imagery intelligence] systems associated with IFC-4 capabilities’.
Speaking during a briefing at the annual
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
![Europe will “struggle” to fill capability gaps left by US-Ukraine aid pause]()
Europe will “struggle” to fill capability gaps left by US-Ukraine aid pause
Europe’s capacity to fill the capability gaps created by the US pause on military aid to Ukraine is uncertain, according to analysts, but European defence industry leaders have stressed their readiness to meet demand.
-
![Will tomorrow’s US Air Force fleet be pilotless?]()
Will tomorrow’s US Air Force fleet be pilotless?
The US Air Force has been showing an increasing interest in adding trusted uncrewed capabilities to its aircraft inventory.
-
![Boeing delivers last Apache AH-64E Guardian attack helicopter to British Army]()
Boeing delivers last Apache AH-64E Guardian attack helicopter to British Army
The helicopters have been remanufactured using common parts from the British Army AH-64 MkI fleet with the 17 not being converted going for a range of uses such as engineering, ground handling and other training.
-
![Initial flight testing completed of LRASM anti-ship missile on F-35]()
Initial flight testing completed of LRASM anti-ship missile on F-35
The AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). It is being developed to meet US requirements and in 2020 the sale was approved to Australia of up to 200 LRASM for an estimated cost of US$990 million.
