Lack of infrastructure delays Australian Triton arrival
The RAAF will have to wait another year to receive at home its first MQ-4C Triton. (RAAF)
Australia will have to figure out what to do with its first Triton for a year before base facilities in-country are ready for it.
The arrival of Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton will be delayed by a year till 2024 because the requisite air base infrastructure for the large UAV with a Boeing 737 wingspan is behind schedule.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has three Tritons on contract out of six required under Project Air 7000 Phase 1B. Northrop Grumman confirmed that the first will still be ready for handover in 2023.
According to the Department of Defence, the reason for delays in starting infrastructure work in Australia is the USN’s production pause in its Triton programme in early 2020.
Consequently, Australia had delayed
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Italian Army receives first UH-169D light utility helicopter]()
Italian Army receives first UH-169D light utility helicopter
The delivery is the first in a total of 25 helicopters on order, with all deliveries expected to be completed by 2027.
-
![Norway receives final F-35 aircraft and unveils first Joint Strike Missile delivery]()
Norway receives final F-35 aircraft and unveils first Joint Strike Missile delivery
Work has begun on stockpiling the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), following the first missile’s delivery from Kongsberg and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
-
![US Air Force has big plans for the F-47]()
US Air Force has big plans for the F-47
The USAF Chief of Staff has claimed that the sixth-generation fighter would allow for guaranteeing “air superiority for generations to come”.
-
![India and France seal Rafale-M deal as plans for local assembly advance]()
India and France seal Rafale-M deal as plans for local assembly advance
Inter-governmental agreement signed as final assembly line plans inch closer.
