(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 networked 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. The MQ-4C air vehicle, mission control system, specialized sensors, and communications suite will play a significant role in achieving the Navy's strategic vision for the 21st century. The Triton system as a persistence ISR enabler provides the supported combatant commander and fleet commander with unparalleled situational awareness of the maritime battle space to develop and sustain the common operational tactical picture. The system will also serve as a Fleet response plan enabler with a persistent, global force offering to provide critical trip wire information for intelligence preparation of the environment. Triton will connect to both the Global Information Grid and the Distributed Common Ground System-Navy information backbone to provide the Warfighter with unprecedented levels of battlespace awareness to synchronize actions necessary to maintain maritime Full Spectrum Superiority.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 0305421N_7_1319_PB_2019
- Change Summary Explanation
- The Triton program was revised to align key program events and funding (+$45.7M) with the development of the Multi-INT capability upgrade in order to continue to support the Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (MISR&T) Transition Plan. The FY 2019 funding request was reduced by $0.205M to reflect the Department of Navy's effort to support the Office of Management and Budget directed reforms for Efficiency and Effectiveness that include a lean, accountable, more efficient government.
- Service Agency Name
- Navy
Entities
Organizations
- United States Navy
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