MQ-4 TRITON
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) Unmanned Aircraft System (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. Envisioned as an unmanned adjunct to the P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft and crucial to the recapitalization of Navy's airborne maritime ISR capability, the system will seek to leverage Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force manpower, training and maintenance efficiencies. The MQ-4C air vehicle is based on Northrop Grumman's Block 20 Global Hawk and 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 modifications within the 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 OPNAV N2/N6 Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (ISR&T) transition plan. Modifications are intended to update Triton's Multi-Intelligence capabilities, provide Counter Electronic Attack (CEA) upgrades, a more robust electronic support capability and to 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
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 4020_0305220N_7_1319_PB_2015
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