(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 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 2,000 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 Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (MISR&T) transition plan. System upgrades will include Multi-Intelligence capabilities, Counter Electronic Attack upgrades, a more robust electronic support capability, and continued 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. JUSTIFICATION FOR BUDGET ACTIVITY: This program is funded under OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT because it includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 0305421N_7_1319_PB_2020
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2020 funding increases by $66 million to adequately resource Multi-INT (IFC-4.0) system development and accelerate IFC-5.0 phased capability development. Schedule: Baseline Early Operational Capability (EOC) moved 5 Quarters to 3rd Quarter FY 2019 due to schedule delays during the operational test period and the operational pause in flight test resulting from an aircraft mishap in September 2018 Multi-INT EOC moved 2 Quarters to 2nd Quarter FY 2021 due to delayed completion of retrofit aircraft Baseline Operational Test Event end date changed to align to the planned System Development and Demonstration completion of 2nd Quarter FY 2019 Updated schedule to reflect Airframe Fatigue Testing and Analysis start of 2nd Quarter FY 2018 Initiate Integrated Functional Capability (IFC-5.0) development 1st Quarter FY 2020
- Service Agency Name
- Navy
Entities
Organizations
- United States Navy
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