Northrop Grumman Corporation has awarded a second Australian supplier contract to Mincham Aviation for the U.S. Navy’s MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system (UAS) initial production lot.
South Australia-based Mincham Aviation will manufacture aircraft structure components for the first low-rate production lot of four Triton air vehicles. This second supplier contract follows one awarded in July to Ferra Engineering for mechanical sub-assemblies.
Northrop Grumman’s engagement with Mincham Aviation and Ferra Engineering were facilitated through the Australian Department of Defence’s Global Supply Chain program.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced his government’s intent to purchase the Triton UAS for high-altitude, long-endurance surveillance missions in March 2014. Triton can fly missions up to 24 hours and at altitudes of over 55,000 feet, covering vast areas of ocean and coastal regions. Its unique sensor suite provides a continuous on-station presence in a 360-degree field of view for some of the most demanding surveillance missions.
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Image: US Navy