Triton UAV wings demonstrate strength capabilities
The structural strength of the wings for the US Navy’s MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been shown to exceed the navy’s requirements in demonstrations by Northrop Grumman and Triumph Aerostructures.
According to Northrop Grumman, a team of engineers found that no failures or unacceptable deformations of the wing occurred when it was subjected to a load at 22 percent above the navy's requirement. This strength will be key to the Triton aircraft’s ability to descend from high altitudes to make positive identification of targets of interest during surveillance missions.
Additional steps needed to certify the wing's life span include flight tests at various weights placed within the wing that simulate various fuel loads and a fatigue test of the entire airframe that will begin in 2017.
Mike Mackey, Northrop Grumman's Triton UAS program director, said: ‘During surveillance missions using Triton, navy operators may spot a target of interest and order the aircraft to a lower altitude to make positive identification. The wing's strength allows the aircraft to safely descend, sometimes through weather patterns, to complete this manoeuvre.’
The MQ-4C Triton will provide long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to navy commanders as a complement to the manned P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
Triumph Aerostructures is supplying the wings for Triton to Northrop Grumman.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
