Image: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Australia and L3Harris have entered into an agreement to augment the support workforce for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) MQ-4C Triton aircraft, signalling a significant development in the project’s execution.
This partnership marks a crucial step in supporting the operational and maintenance needs of the RAAF’s MQ-4C Triton aircraft, particularly in managing the command-and-control systems onboard these multi-intelligence unmanned aircraft.
The interim contract will focus on maintaining the Tritons’ advanced Wideband Command, Control, and Communications (C3) Subsystem, a key component developed by L3Harris.
Christine Zeitz, chief executive and general manager for Australia & New Zealand at Northrop Grumman, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration with L3Harris is pivotal as we integrate cutting-edge wideband C3 functionalities to bolster Australia’s defence capabilities.”
As part of the agreement, starting this month, L3Harris will deploy seven communications specialists and field service representatives to collaborate closely with the Northrop Grumman team.
Andrew Rushbrook, managing director of L3Harris Communications Australia and regional vice president of L3Harris Tactical Communications, added to the discussion, “Our partnership with Northrop Grumman Australia is crucial for delivering a robust capability to the Commonwealth, establishing a premier sovereign capability in wideband C3 solutions for the MQ-4C Triton.”
In November 2023, Northrop Grumman celebrated a significant achievement with the first flight of an Australian MQ-4C Triton at its facility in Palmdale, California. This event is part of the roadmap towards the scheduled delivery of Australia’s initial Triton in 2024. Currently, four Tritons are under contract for Australia, with their production on track.
