First USN MQ-4Cs arrive in Asia-Pacific
By Greg Waldron28
January 2020
The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAS has started its first deployment,
joining a US Navy (USN) squadron at Andersen AFB in Guam.
A pair of MQ-4Cs reached Guam on 26 January, and will be operated as
part of an early operational capability (EOC), says the USN. The EOC will
inform a concept of operations for the type.
Source: US Navy
One of the two
MQ-4Cs deployed to Guam idles on the runway after arriving on 26 January
The aircraft are part of the USN VUP-19 unit, the first squadron to
operate the type.
“The introduction of MQ-4C Triton to the Seventh Fleet area of
operations expands the reach of the US Navy’s maritime patrol and
reconnaissance force in the Western Pacific,” says teh service’s Captain Matt
Rutherford.
“Coupling the capabilities of the MQ-4C with the proven performance of
[Boeing] P-8, [Lockheed Martin] P-3 and EP-3 will enable improved maritime
domain awareness in support of regional and national security objectives.”
Initial operational capability includes four aircraft with the ability
to support 24/7 operations.
Source: US Navy
Following its
arrival in Guam, a US Navy MQ-4C sits in a hangar at Andersen AFB
The USN’s programme of record is 70 MQ-4Cs, including a pair of test
aircraft.
The Royal Australian Air Force also plans to obtain six MQ-4Cs to
complement its P-8 Poseidion maritime patrol aircraft.
In addition, South
Korea received its first of four RQ-4 Block 30s in December 2019, while Tokyo
plans to operate three RQ-4 Block 30s.
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