The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is playing a vital role in the deployment of the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle. Recently, RAAF personnel worked alongside their counterparts from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy to facilitate the shipment of Forward Operating Base (FOB) equipment and a Mobile Remote Quick Look (RQL) trailer to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam in February.
The RQL trailer is a self-contained, secure facility that will store intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data and make it available to the intelligence community. The trailer and palletized FOB equipment arrived at Dover AFB on January 30, where they underwent inspection and weighing by the 436th Aerial Port Squadron and members of the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-262) Triton at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
According to RAAF Squadron Leader Stephen Grimmer, PMA-262 ground segment execution lead, the lift is a critical component in the standup of U.S. Navy Triton capability in Guam in support of the 7th Fleet. Grimmer also notes that the Triton program is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Navy and RAAF, and this recent shipment represents a significant milestone for the program.
The coordination efforts for the airlift requirements started a month prior to execution and involved representatives from Dayton T. Brown Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Naval Air Systems Command, RAAF, and the 436th APS. Tech. Sgt. Daniel Romeyn, 436th APS capability forecaster, notes that the coordination efforts from the Aerial Port included scheduling truck delivery appointments for cargo, cargo build-up requirements, a joint inspection, base access, and customer service with the shipper.
Upon becoming fully operational in the Pacific theater of operations, the RQL trailer will be operated by the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19, with field service representatives supporting the 7th Fleet.
RAAF Squadron Leader Grimmer and his team will also oversee the standup and installation of Triton ground segments at RAAF Edinburgh, Adelaide, South Australia later this year. “We have worked closely together with our partners from the RAAF over the last several years to deliver the MQ-4C Triton aircraft to Australia,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Josh Guerre, PMA-262 program manager. “The MQ-4C Triton will significantly improve Australian and U.S. capabilities in the region, enhancing our joint ability to respond to regional challenges – including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
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