The
Northrop Grumman's United States Navy MQ-4C Triton
Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned
Aircraft System (UAS) program provides persistent
maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
(ISR) data collection and dissemination capability
to the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force
(MPRF). The MQ-4C Triton is a multi-mission system
to support strike, signals intelligence, and communications
relay.
a
MQ-4C
Triton
Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
The
Northrop Grumman's United States Navy MQ-4C Triton Broad Area Maritime
Surveillance (BAMS) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program provides
persistent maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
data collection and dissemination capability to the Maritime Patrol
and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF). The MQ-4C Triton is a multi-mission
system to support strike, signals intelligence, and communications relay.
The MQ-4C BAMS UAS, at full operational capability, will provide ISR
persistence over large maritime distances for long periods of time for
up to five simultaneous orbits worldwide. The MQ-4C BAMS UAS missions
include, but are not limited to, maritime surveillance, collection of
enemy order of battle information, battle damage assessment, port surveillance,
communication relay, and support of the following missions - maritime
interdiction, surface warfare, battlespace management, and targeting
for maritime and littoral strike missions.
Variants:
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk: The MQ-4C Triton is
a maritime derivative of the RQ-4B Global Hawk incorporating US Navy
requirements.
RQ-4A: Initial production version for the USAF, 16
built. RQ-4B: Improved version with increased payload, wingspan
and length. RQ-4E: German Euro Hawk, based on RQ-4B. Equipped with
EADS electronics. EQ-4B: Version equipped with the Battlefield Airborne
Communications Node (BACN) system. KQ-X: Proposed autonomous tanker variant.
Main
fuselage made of standard aluminum, semi-monocoque construction.
Wings made of lightweight, high-strength composite materials.
Payload,
Sensors, Electronics
Maximum Internal
Payload: 3,200 lbs (1,452 kg)
Maximum External Payload: 2,400 lbs (1,089 kg)
Multi-Function Active Sensor Active Electronically Steered Array
(MFAS AESA) radar:
» 2D AESA
» Maritime and air-to-ground modes
» Long-range detection and classification of targets
MTS-B multi-spectral targeting system:
» Electro-optical/infrared
» Auto-target tracking
» High resolution at multiple field-of-views
» Full motion video
AN/ZLQ-1 Electronic Support Measures:
» All digital
» Specific Emitter Identification
Automatic Identification System:
» Provides information received from VHF broadcasts on maritime
vessel movements
Features
»
Provides persistent maritime ISR at a mission radius of 2,000 nm; 24 hours/7
days per week with 80% Effective Time on Station (ETOS)
» Land-based air vehicle and sensor command and control
» Afloat Level II payload sensor data via line-of-sight
» Dual redundant flight controls and surfaces
» 51,000-hour airframe life
» Due regard radar for safe separation
» Anti/de-ice, bird strike, and lightning protection
» Communications bandwidth management
» Commercial off-the-shelf open architecture mission control system
» Net-ready interoperability solution
Powerplant
Allison Rolls-Royce AE3007H turbofan with 7,050 lb (31.4 kN) of thrust