ANDERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – Operated by Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP) 19, the MQ-4C is a high-altitude, long-endurance maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and concentrating on (MISR&T) platform that enhances the P-8A Poseidon’s capabilities.
“Triton helps bolster our Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations on a world stage” stated Lt. Christopher Lee, a Triton naval flight officer. “The communication and security nets Triton brings to our pleasant models is a game-changer.”
The MQ-4C started working within the seventh Fleet space of operations (AOO) in 2020 to begin growing techniques, methods, and procedures for unmanned plane operations. The 2 plane within the baseline configuration referred to as Built-in Practical Functionality (IFC) 3 have been ahead deployed supporting Commander, Activity Power 72 tasking. Throughout this time, Triton carried out ISR operations utilizing its multi-sensor mission payload.
Whereas Andersen Air Power Base on Guam served as the first location for VUP-19, MQ-4C plane additionally deployed to Misawa Air Base and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, each in Japan, to refine the idea of operations for expeditionary basing. The flexibility to flexibly deploy to a number of websites throughout the seventh Fleet AOO was a profitable end result in the course of the EOC interval.
VUP-19 will return to seventh Fleet in 2023 to begin the MQ-4C’s preliminary operational functionality (IOC). The IOC interval will make the most of a number of Triton plane within the upgraded IFC-4 configuration to conduct enhanced MISR&T operations with an upgraded sensor suite.
Lee supplied perception into the IFC-4 transition and mentioned the brand new capabilities changing facets of the EP-3.
“From numerous places around the globe, Triton will execute its mission 24 hours per day, with little risk to Navy personnel,” stated Lee.
These round the clock operations will convey enhanced MISR&T capabilities to seventh Fleet. VUP-19 plans to introduce this functionality to extra fleet areas across the globe, paving the best way for future Navy unmanned programs.
VUP-19, based mostly out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, is at present working from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The squadron conducts Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance in addition to theater outreach operations as a part of a rotational deployment to the U.S. seventh Fleet AOO.
seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and companions in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific area.
