MQ-4C Triton welcomed into US Navy fleet
The US Navy has officially commenced operations with the MQ-4C Triton UAS.
A ceremony welcoming the UAS into service was held on 31 May at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) in Point Mugu, California. NBVC Point Mugu is home to the maintenance detachment of Unmanned Patrol Squadron-19 DET Point Mugu, the navy’s first unmanned patrol squadron. Maintainers are conducting training and tests on the Triton aircraft before it deploys to Guam later in 2018.
Point Mugu has also refurbished an existing hangar that will accommodate up to four Triton aircraft with its 130.9ft wingspan. The first two Triton aircraft are located at Point Mugu.
The MQ-4C Triton, built by Northrop Grumman, is an unmanned ISR aircraft system with an autonomous capability that is piloted from a ground station. The aircraft can fly for up to 24 hours and reach altitudes of up to 55,000ft. Triton provides a critical common operating picture, disseminating images and near-real time video to commanders around the world.
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