(U)RQ-4 Modernization
Abstract
MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Air System (UAS). The popular name Triton was approved for the MQ-4C UAS in June 2012, designating the RQ-4 Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) UAS as the MQ-4C Triton. The MQ-4C Triton is a high altitude-long endurance UAS designed to provide Fleet and combatant commanders with persistent maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) of nearly all the world's high-density sea-lanes, littorals, and areas of national interest. Teamed with its manned-capability counterpart, the P-8A, Triton will be a key component of the Navy's family of systems to achieve maritime domain awareness. MQ-4C Triton will seek to leverage Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force manpower, training and maintenance efficiencies. The MQ-4C Triton features sensors designed to provide near worldwide coverage through a network of five orbits inside and outside continental United States, with sufficient air vehicles to remain airborne for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, out to ranges of 2000 nautical miles. Onboard sensors will provide detection, classification, tracking and identification of maritime targets and include maritime radar, electro-optical/infra-red and Electronic Support Measures systems. Additionally, the MQ-4C will have a communications relay capability designed to link dispersed forces in the theater of operations and serve as a node in the Navy's FORCEnet strategy. Tactical-level data analysis will occur in real-time at shore-based mission control sites connected to the air vehicle via satellite communications. Further intelligence exploitation can be conducted at Fleet shore-based sites or aboard aircraft carriers and other ships. The MQ-4C Triton UAS will implement phased capability upgrades within the ongoing acquisition program to pace capability with rapidly evolving technologies and threats to ensure the Navy maintains persistent ISR dominance through the system's lifecycle, and to support the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting transition plan. System upgrades will include Multi-Intelligence capabilities, Counter Electronic Attack upgrades, a more robust electronic support capability and continue improvements to baseline mission system payloads. MQ-4C will play a significant role in the Sea Shield and FORCEnet pillars of Sea Power 21. In its Sea Shield role, the system will rely on its key attribute of persistence to provide the supported combatant command or fleet commander with unparalleled situational awareness of the maritime battle space as it develops and sustains the common operational tactical picture. The system will also serve as a Fleet response plan enabler, while acting as a trip wire for intelligence preparation of the environment. Additionally, Triton UAS will be a FORCEnet enabler and relay platform, directly connected to both the Global Information Grid and the Distributed Common Ground System-Navy information backbone.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- 0305421N_7_1319_PB_2017
- Change Summary Explanation
- Decrease in RQ-4 Modernization by $7.640M as required for the Department of the Navy to comply with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. FY 2017 decrease primarily due to Air to Air Radar Subsystem development. Schedule: Multi-INT Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation scheduled for 3QFY20, Multi-INT IOC scheduled for 2QFY21, and Future Development scheduled 4QFY20 through FY21 have been added to the schedule. Technical: N/A
- Service Agency Name
- Navy
Entities
Organizations
- United States Navy
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