Australian government considers MQ-4C Triton UAV
The Australian government has announced that it will acquire the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) if the US Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) development programme is successfully completed. The announcement was included in a press release from the Australian Prime Minister’s office on 13 March.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) would gain advanced maritime surveillance capabilities from the MQ-4C, with its ability to operate at altitudes up to 55,000ft over extremely long ranges for up to 33 hours at a time.
The aircraft would be used alongside existing and future ADF assets to patrol the country’s ocean approaches and borders, and to protect ocean infrastructure, including energy resources off northern Australia.
According to the government, the acquisition will require approximately $140 million of new facilities and infrastructure, approximately $100 million of which will be invested in South Australia where the UAV will be based. This potentially involves the expansion and enhancement of existing facilities and infrastructure at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Support requirements for Triton should create approximately $20 million annually in further opportunities for South Australian companies.
The total number of Triton UAVs to be acquired and their introduction into service date will be further considered by the government in 2016, based on the Defence White Paper.
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