US Navy Selects Naval Station Mayport to House MQ-4C Triton UAS
The United States Navy has selected the Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida to function as the East Coast Forward Operating Base to house a squadron of Northrop Grumman manufactured-MQ-4C Triton UAS.
Construction of a new UAS facility at the Naval Station Mayport is expected to begin this year. The first Triton UAS is expected to arrive in 2020.
In addition to the UAS being housed at the base, 400 Triton personnel will also be stationed there as well.
“I have long advocated for the Navy to base the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft in Mayport, so I am very pleased it decided to do so,” says Sen. Marco Rubio via Action News Jacksonville.
Rep. John Rutherford echoes Rubio’s statements by saying, “I am very pleased with the Navy’s decision, which will not only enhance our national security by helping the Navy carry out its important maritime surveillance missions, but is also a huge victory for the Jacksonville community, further strengthening our partnership with the Navy.”
“The MQ-4C Triton will significantly increase the Navy’s capabilities to conduct surveillance in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.”
With an ability to fly more than 24 hours at a time and survey more than 2.7 million square miles during a single mission, the Triton UAS are built to support the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force, by providing tactical and strategic mission capabilities, and collecting maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data.
