On May 31, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy officially welcomed the MQ-4C Triton UAS to the fleet during a ceremony to celebrate the commencement of flight operations at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu.

Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu in California is home to the maintenance detachment of Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP)-19 DET Point Mugu, which is the Navy’s first unmanned patrol squadron. Maintainers are currently conducting training and tests on the Triton UAS before it deploys to Guam later in 2018.

Point Mugu has also completely refurbished an existing hangar that will house up to four Triton UAS. The first two Triton UAS are located at Point Mugu.

“With each new part of the Triton infrastructure that the Navy stands up, we move closer to making Triton operational and showing the fleet what this remarkable aircraft system can do,” said Doug Shaffer, vice president, Triton programs, Northrop Grumman.

“I look forward to the day when this hangar is full of activity leading up to the Guam employment.”

U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, Ventura County, added, “as Naval Base Ventura County’s representative in Congress, I am proud to support the MQ-4C Triton aircraft system. The Triton is an essential component of the Navy’s future intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and a critical program for the continued strength of Naval Base Ventura County and our national security.”

An “unmanned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft system,” the MQ-4C Triton UAS has an autonomous capability that is piloted from a ground station. The UAS is capable of flying up to 24 hours, and can reach altitudes of up to 55,000 feet.

Triton provides a “critical common operating picture” while flying high above the battle space, distributing images and near-real time video to commanders across the globe.