Triton UAV ground testing efforts continue
Northrop Grumman has announced that a second Triton unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) has been added to ground testing efforts being carried out with the US Navy. This latest milestone was reached in late September, and is part of an initial step in preparation for flight operations.
The first Triton, being developed for the US Navy’s MQ-4C Triton Broad Area Maritime Surveillance programme, entered ground testing in July after production concluded in June. The two Triton UAS are being used to flight test and mature the system for operational use. Ground testing allows the team to further reduce risks associated with control software and subsystems prior to flight.
Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the programme. The company was awarded a systems development and demonstration contract in 2008 to build two aircraft and test them in preparation for operational missions by late 2015. The navy’s programme of record calls for 68 Tritons to be built in total.
The Tritan aircraft will be used to provide a detailed picture of surface vessels to identify threats across vast areas of ocean and littoral areas. With its ability to fly missions up to 24 hours, Triton will complement existing manned surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.
Steve Enewold, Northrop Grumman's vice president and program manager for Triton, said: ‘Ground testing signifies our steady progress toward conducting Triton's first flight. Through numerous engine runs and checks with communications systems between the aircraft and ground controllers, we can ensure that everything is working properly before entering taxi testing as the next step in our efforts.’
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
Tekever unveils new swarm-controlling UAS
Tekever has manufactured the AR3, AR4 and AR5 UAS with all systems sharing common electronics and software architecture, which has enabled the reuse of ground segment elements within the new ARX UAS.
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.