Triton Testing

The Navy is halfway through MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system testing after recently completing nine initial flights, Northrop Grumman said today.

The service is testing a process called envelope expansion, validating the aircraft's ability to operate at a range of altitudes, speeds and weights, according to a company statement.

“Completion of envelope expansion will allow the test team to prepare for installation and further testing of Triton's surveillance sensors,” Mike Mackey, Triton program director for Northrop Grumman, said in the statement.

The aircraft performed endurance flights of more than nine hours at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. All of the testing is conducted at Northrop's facility in Palmdale, CA.

The Navy plans to field 68 Tritons to complement P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft on surveillance missions.