PALMDALE, Calif., Oct. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S.
Navy's second MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has
successfully completed its first flight. Operating out of a
manufacturing facility in Palmdale, a Navy and Northrop Grumman (NYSE:
NOC) flight test team conducted the 6.7-hour flight Oct. 15. The flight is a critical first step in
preparing the aircraft to fly to a Navy facility in Maryland later this month.
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=28395.
"Our team worked incredibly hard to get the second Triton ready
for first flight, which will help us plan its ferry flight to Naval
Air Station Patuxent River," said Mike
Mackey, Triton program director, Northrop Grumman. "We're
eager to continue working with the Navy during the next phase of
Triton's flight test program to speed up its availability to the
warfighter."
In preparation for a safe ferry flight, the aircraft will
undergo a variety of ground checks and inspections.
Northrop Grumman is the Navy's prime contractor for the Triton
UAS. Specifically designed for maritime missions of up to 24 hours,
Triton can fly at altitudes higher than 10 miles, allowing for
coverage of 1 million square nautical miles of ocean. Its advanced
suite of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors can
detect and classify different types of ships.
The Navy's program of record calls for 68 Tritons to be
fielded.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing
innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems,
cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and
commercial customers worldwide. Please visit
www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
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SOURCE Northrop Grumman Corporation