Australia marks milestones for Triton, Peregrine and Poseidon fleets

Three Royal Australian Air Force surveillance aircraft have reached milestones that the Department of Defence says strengthen the country's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft has achieved initial operational capability, according to the department. The type is flown by No. 9 Squadron from RAAF Tindal and Edinburgh, and the milestone follows test and evaluation work. Australia has taken delivery of three MQ-4Cs, with a fourth and final aircraft due in 2028. The programme is run jointly with the US Navy, which also operates the type.

The L3Harris MC-55A Peregrine, an electronic warfare and ISR aircraft based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet, has also reached initial operational capability after its own test and evaluation effort. Three aircraft have been received, and a fourth and final example is to arrive later this year.

The P-8A Poseidon fleet was completed with the arrival of the 14th aircraft in May. The first of two Poseidons to be upgraded to the Increment 3 Block 2 standard has now arrived in Australia. That upgrade improves the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the 737-derived aircraft, and 12 of the 14 Australian P-8As will undergo the work locally.

The department described the achievements as a step forward in air force capability, delivering persistent long-range maritime surveillance.