Article Posted on : - Jun 28, 2018

The Triton remotely piloted aircraft. Photo: Northrop Grumman

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) plans to purchase Triton aircraft system in an effort to secure the country’s borders and enhance anti-submarine warfare and maritime strike capability.

The Northrop Grumman-built Triton remotely piloted aircraft will be operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), a Northrop statement said.

The unmanned aircraft system with an autonomous capability built for maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance is the first Northrop Grumman-built aircraft system purchased by Australia.

Triton can fly at altitudes of 55,000 feet for 24 hours at a time and is equipped with sensors that provide high-resolution imagery and near real-time video. Pilots and sensor operators fly the Triton from ground stations, which can command flights all over the world.

“Triton provides unprecedented endurance and 360-degree coverage through its unique sensor suite,” said Doug Shaffer, vice president of Triton programs, Northrop Grumman.

“Australia has one of the largest sea zones in the world over which it has rights to use marine resources, also known as an Economic Exclusion Zone. As a flexible platform, Triton can serve in missions as varied as maritime domain awareness, target acquisition, fisheries protection, oil field monitoring and humanitarian relief.”