US Navy Triton UAS flight trials making progress
The MQ-4C Triton UAS under development for the US Navy has reached the halfway point in its envelope expansion flight test programme. Nine flights have now been completed at the Northrop Grumman manufacturing facility in Palmdale, California.
The flights are being conducted to validate the aircraft's ability to operate at a range of altitudes, speeds and weights before surveillance sensors are installed.
The aircraft has completed endurance flights of up to 9.4-hours at altitudes up to 50,000 feet; as well as performing doublets, a manoeuvre that tests the aircraft's ability to recover from small perturbations in its flight path caused by turbulence.
Triton is designed to carry a variety of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensor payloads to allow military commanders to gather high-resolution imagery, use radar to detect targets, and provide airborne communications and information-sharing capabilities to military units across long distances.
The US Navy plans to field 68 Triton UAS, which will be used with the manned P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to conduct surveillance missions.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![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.
