Northrop Grumman USA

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Northrop Grumman’s Ballistic Missile Target Successfully Launched for Aegis Weapon System Test​

CHANDLER, Ariz. – March 29, 2024 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully launched a ballistic missile target vehicle to support the Missile Defense Agency’s Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 32 (FTM-32), in cooperation with the U.S. Navy.

• Northrop Grumman launched the Medium-Range Ballistic Missile Type 3 Configuration 2 (MRBM T3c2) Target Vehicle, a threat-representative two-stage, solid rocket-fueled ballistic missile, from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, located on Kauai in Hawaii.
• The successful test demonstrated the capability of a ballistic missile defense-configured Aegis ship to detect, track, engage and intercept an advanced MRBM in the terminal phase of flight, utilizing the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Dual II missile.
• Northrop Grumman developed and produced three MRBM T3c2s as intercept test targets for the Aegis SM-6 and has delivered and successfully launched all three target vehicles.

Robin Heard, director of targets, Northrop Grumman: “This program capitalizes on our proven history of innovative rocket designs, executed with speed and discipline. We continue to invest in technology that delivers these vital capabilities our customers need to respond to growing threats. T3c2 is a highly complex target providing the realistic scenario needed to test and verify the Aegis Weapon System.”

Northrop Grumman’s Ballistic Missile Target Successfully Launched for Aegis Weapon System Test

CHANDLER, Ariz. – March 29, 2024 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully launched a ballistic missile target vehicle to support the Missile Defense Agency’s Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 32 (FTM-32), in cooperation with the U.S....

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Aircraft

Powerful Partnerships: Bringing MQ-4C Triton Operations to Australia through Collaboration​

Australia improves the security of its vast maritime domain with MQ-4C Triton’s persistent surveillance capabilities

August 13, 2026
TAGS: Triton, Aircraft, Naval Aviation, U.S. Navy

Summary​

The partnership between the United States Navy, Northrop Grumman, the Royal Australian Air Force and Australian industry is poised to enable Indo-Pacific maritime surveillance using MQ-4C Triton’s high-altitude, long-endurance capabilities.

Key Takeaways​

• Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy tailored Triton for Australia’s maritime surveillance needs and are providing technical workforce readiness to ensure seamless integration and long-term operations from remote bases.
• Shared data and collaboration between U.S. and Australian forces will enhance situational awareness and improve the planning and conduct of joint military operations.

(Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
The MQ-4C Triton provides a persistent surveillance capability that spans a vast maritime area. It demands strategic collaboration, strong partnerships, highly skilled teams and advanced technology. That’s why the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) partnered with the United States Navy and Northrop Grumman to bring critical theater-level surveillance capability to Australia, one of the world’s most remote and strategically significant regions. Northrop Grumman Australia and the RAAF have collaborated to implement the Australian MQ-4C capability and enhance the Australian Defence Force’s maritime domain awareness across the vast Indo-Pacific. The Triton’s advanced sensor suite, high-altitude ceiling and data sharing are enabled by a highly skilled workforce located across Australia.
Operating in Remote Environments
The scale and complexity of Australia’s vast exclusive economic zone and key sea lanes pose unique challenges that demand persistent, surveillance capabilities and theater-level oversight. To address these needs, Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Navy and the RAAF have worked closely to tailor the Triton for Australia’s operational environment, ensuring its integration with interoperable platforms like the crewed P-8A Poseidon.
Triton is uniquely suited for this mission. It is the only autonomous high-altitude maritime aircraft capable of flying above 15,000 meters for up to 24 hours to cover up to 14 million square-kilometers in a single mission. It provides regional oversight at scale that is critical to provide situational awareness that informs operational decisions. Triton’s long-range surveillance complements crewed aircraft in the Maritime domain.
Driven by Shared Success
Operationalizing Triton in Australia involved training and equipping RAAF teams capable of maintaining, operating and sustaining Triton in remote regions to build No. 9 Squadron capability. Northrop Grumman embedded multidisciplinary experts as mechanics, avionics technicians, engineers, systems administrators and networks specialists, working side by side with RAAF and local industry partners. This collaboration accelerated workforce readiness and ensured long-term success.
As Australia and the U.S. continue to share data and technological expertise, the Triton partnership exemplifies how collaboration, innovation and teamwork come together to meet the evolving demands of maritime security in one of the world’s most strategically important regions.
Media Contact
Bree Young
619-346-0044
[email protected]
www.northropgrumman.com