Northrop Grumman, a defense contractor, stated to have conducted a “first-of-its-kind” flight test in which a high-flying surveillance drone shared data with modeling of fighter planes and warships.
Company executives announced on February 13 that a successful trial conducted in October proved the capability to connect military assets in the air with those at sea. This is a major step toward future U.S. Navy operations characterized by daunting distance and contested communications.
An MQ-4C Triton drone equipped with a proprietary “gateway,” along with a simulated F-35, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, and Aegis class destroyers, participated in the test.
Vice President and general manager for network-information solutions of Northrop Ben Davies said, “This powerful combination expands the mission set of maritime platforms to deliver a seamlessly connected fleet.”
The U.S. military is working to break down the barriers that have existed between branches, databases, and weapons systems for far too long. With the help of JADC2, it is possible to imagine any sensor feeding any shooter the data needed, making it possible to respond to acts of foreign aggression in a way that is both rapid and effective, regardless of where they may be taking place.
Northrop vice president and general manager for global surveillance Jane Bishop said in a statement that Triton is a good candidate to host the gateway system because of its altitude, persistence, and strong communication links. This demonstration showed how Triton could be improved with gateway technology to gain information dominance across dispersed maritime assets, such as the F-35’s powerful sensor suite and the E-2D’s ability to manage battles.
Northrop Grumman, one of the world’s leading defense contractors, has showcased a second gateway system and introduced the first Triton for Australia. The company facilitates interoperability between coalition and joint air and sea forces.
