Triton drone passes operational testing

The Northrop Grumman Triton long-range surveillance drone has successfully passed operational testing, a key step to service with the US navy and then Australia.

Over the last two months, the US military conducted a series of flight tests, confirming Triton's ability to fly extended missions and identify and track maritime contacts in both day and night.

The Australian Defence Force plans to replace the RAAF's ageing Orion aircraft with an unspecified number of Tritons plus manned Poseidon aircraft to conduct maritime surveillance patrols over the vast area of ocean around Australia.