Northrop Grumman Australia (NYSE: NOC) has signed a contract with L3Harris Corporation (L3HCA) to operate and maintain the command and control systems on Australia’s fleet of MQ-4C Triton multi-intelligence unmanned aerial vehicles. This collaboration represents another significant milestone ahead of delivery of this platform to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
As the lead system integrator for the Triton, Northrop Grumman has collaborated with multiple suppliers to integrate and maintain key systems and technologies on this platform to deliver the capabilities the RAAF requires. Beginning this month, L3HCA will provide seven communications technicians and field service representatives to work with the Northrop Grumman team. The temporary support contract includes maintenance of the Triton’s Command, Control and Wideband Communications (C3) System, developed by L3HCA.
Andrew Rushbrook, CEO of L3Harris Communications Australia Pty Ltd and Regional Vice President of L3Harris Tactical Communications, said: “L3Harris is pleased to partner with Northrop Grumman Australia to provide this critical capability to the Commonwealth. Our C3 broadband solution for Australia’s MQ-4C Triton will help establish a world-class sovereign capability.”
Christine Zeitz, managing director and general manager of Northrop Grumman Australia and New Zealand, said: “L3Harris will support Triton’s broadband C3 capability as we collaborate to deliver next-generation technology solutions that keep Australia safe.”
Designed for the U.S. Navy and RAAF, the multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton supports a variety of missions including maritime patrol, signals intelligence, search and rescue, and communications information relay. These aircraft provide commanders with the continuous surveillance capability to predict adversary behavior, enabling better planning and improvement of the overall military response. Northrop Grumman successfully completed the first flight of Australia’s MQ-4C Triton at Palmdale, California, in November 2023. This flight marked a major production milestone as Northrop Grumman moves toward delivery of the first Triton to Australia in 2024. All four of Australia’s Tritons currently on contract are progressing as planned through their production schedule.
Northrop Grumman is establishing a dynamic support environment for the phased delivery of Triton systems to Australia. This includes establishing ground stations at RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia, and facilitating aircraft at RAAF Tindal, Northern Territory. The company is building a highly skilled workforce in Australia at both locations, leveraging knowledge and experience gained supporting U.S. Navy Triton operations. Australia is part of the Triton collaboration program and is helping to shape system requirements. Together, the U.S. and Australian defense forces will share data collected by their respective Tritons. Northrop Grumman is a global aerospace and defense technology leader. Driven by a common purpose of solving our customers’ toughest problems, our employees realize what’s possible every day.
