Australia buys billion-dollar US UAV to patrol the sea
The Australian Prime Minister announced that he will spend 5.1 billion USD to buy drones from the US to improve maritime patrol capabilities.
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Two US MQ-4Cs during testing in 2013. Photo:US Navy |
The contract, worth about $5.1 billion, is for six MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the US, along with technical support and operational infrastructure upgrades. The first aircraft, worth $1 billion, is expected to be put into service in 2023.
“This investment will help protect our borders and strengthen security in the region,”Reutersquoted a statement released by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull today.
The Australian government said the Triton squadron will operate alongside P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, taking on long-range reconnaissance and intelligence gathering roles, improving the Australian military's anti-submarine and maritime strike capabilities.
The MQ-4C Triton is a UAV for the US Navy, developed from the RQ-4 Global Hawk model. Each system includes a ground control station and unmanned aircraft. A Triton can operate continuously for 30 hours, has a range of 15,200 km, a ceiling of 18 km and a maximum speed of 575 km/h.
Triton's primary sensor is the AN/ZPY-3 active electronically scanned array radar, which can cover an area of 5,200 square kilometers in a single scan at an altitude of 17 kilometers. When operating at low altitudes, Triton can deploy the MTS-B electro-optical-infrared complex similar to the MQ-9 Reaper, along with a laser rangefinder and designator.
The aircraft is also equipped with a modular electronic support system (ESM), which allows detection and identification of radar signals from a distance, helping to determine the location of enemy forces.
