MQ-4C Triton Takes Flight with Multi-Intelligence Upgrade
By Brooks McKinney , APR
In late July 2021, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) celebrated a significant milestone in their 13-year partnership developing the MQ-4C Triton maritime surveillance system with the successful first test flight of the newest configuration of the high-altitude, long-endurance autonomous aircraft.
The flight was the latest step in a development process designed to help Triton achieve initial operational capability (IOC) status in 2023. Two Triton aircraft configured with "early operational capability" hardware and software have been operating in the Pacific since early 2020.
Adding Intelligence Capabilities
According to Rob Zmarzlak, chief engineer for Northrop Grumman's Autonomous ISR and Targeting Programs, the newest configuration — known as Integrated Functional Capability (IFC)-4 or MQ-4C Triton Multi-INT — dramatically improves the system's signals intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities.
"Triton Multi-INT gets its name from the addition of two new SIGINT sensors: one that gathers electronic intelligence and one that gathers communications intelligence," he said. "We've also removed an older electronic support measures sensor and installed a new, more capable version of the electro-optical infrared sensor flying on Triton today."
