Australia's first MQ-4C Triton strategic drone made its debut flight at the Northrop Grumman facility

Northrop Grumman has conducted the first flight test of the MQ-4C Triton strategic drone. The unmanned aerial vehicle took to the skies for the first time last week.

Here's What We Know

Northrop Grumman rolled Australia's MQ-4C out of a hangar in September 2022. Flight testing of the drone was supposed to take place a little earlier. However, due to technical faults discovered during the taxiing tests, they had to be postponed for a few weeks.

As soon as the MQ-4C Triton completes a series of tests at Northrop Grumman's California facility, it will go to the U.S. Navy's Pax River base in Maryland. There, the drone will have to undergo a series of additional tests for certification.

If Northrop Grumman stays on schedule, the MQ-4C will depart for Australia in the middle of next year. The UAV will be based at the Royal Australian Air Force's Tindal base. It is not expected to reach initial operational capability until June 2026 at the earliest.

Australia had planned to acquire up to seven drones, but has so far ordered only four units. This number of MQ-4C Triton drones will enable long-range missions and localised tasks.

Source: Naval News