MQ-4C Triton
Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system (UAS) provides real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) over vast ocean and coastal regions.
Based on the proven Global Hawk UAS, Triton’s autonomous operations are supported by land-based command and control mission planners and sensor operators. Triton will be equipped with a unique and robust mission sensor suite that provides 360-degree coverage on all sensors, providing unprecedented maritime domain awareness for the U.S. Navy.
Triton also incorporates a reinforced airframe, for increased internal payload, and wing for hail, bird strike, and gust load protection, along with de-icing and lightning protection systems. These features allow the aircraft to descend and ascend through harsh maritime weather environments to gain a closer view of ships and other targets at sea when needed.
Built for the U.S. Navy, Triton will support a wide range of missions including maritime ISR patrol, signals intelligence, search and rescue and communications relay. The aircraft can fly over 24 hours at a time, at altitudes higher than 10 miles, with an operational range of 8,200 nautical miles.
The US Navy’s program of record calls for 68 aircraft to be fielded.
Supporting missions up to 24 hours, the high-altitude UAS is equipped with a sensor suite that provides a 360-degree view of its surroundings at a radius of over 2,000 nautical miles. Triton builds on elements of the Global Hawk UAS while incorporating reinforcements to the airframe and wing, along with de-icing and lightning protection systems. These capabilities allow the aircraft to descend through cloud layers to gain a closer view of ships and other targets at sea when needed. The current sensor suite allows ships to be tracked over time by gathering information on their speed, location and classification. Built to support the U.S. Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program, Triton will support a wide range of intelligence-gathering and reconnaissance missions, maritime patrol and search and rescue.
Characteristics:
- Wingspan : 130.9 ft (39.9 m)
- Length : 47.6 ft (14.5 m)
- Height : 15.4 ft (4.6 m)
- Gross Take-off Weight : 32,250 lbs (14,628 kg)
- Max. Internal Payload : 3,200 lbs (1,452 kg)
- Max. External Payload : 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
Multi-Function Active Sensor Active Electronically Steered Array (MFAS AESA) radar
– 2D AESA – Maritime and air-to-ground modes
– Long-range detection and classification of targets
MTS-B multi-spectral targeting system
– Electro-optical/infrared
– Auto-target tracking
– High resolution at multiple field-of-views
– Full motion video
AN/ZLQ-1 Electronic Support Measures
– All digital
– Specific Emitter Identification
Automatic Identification System
– Provides information received from VHF broadcasts on maritime vessel movements
Performance:
Self Deploy : 8,200 nm (15,186 km)
Max Altitude: 56,500 ft (17.22 km)
Max Endurance: 24 hrs
Max Airspeed: 331 knots True Air Speed (TAS)
Features:
- Provides persistent maritime ISR at a mission radius of 2,000 nm; 24 hours/7 days per week with 80% Effective Time on Station (ETOS)
- Land-based air vehicle and sensor command and control
- Afloat Level II payload sensor data via line-of-sight
- Dual redundant flight controls and surfaces
- 51,000-hour airframe life
- Due regard radar for safe separation
- Anti/de-ice, bird strike, and lightning protection
- Communications bandwidth management
- Commercial off-the-shelf open architecture mission control system
- Net-ready interoperability solution
Source: http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/Triton/Pages/default.aspx
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