MQ-4C Triton
Northrop Grumman's MQ-4C Triton is a large maritime surveillance aircraft operated within a wider network of crewed aircraft and ground teams. Fielding, configuration upgrades and operational testing are distinct measures of its maturity.
- Country / region
- United States
- Programme status
- Use documented
- Sources reviewed
- 20 Sept 2026
- Primary domain
- Air
- System type
- Reconnaissance aircraft
- Developer / manufacturer
- Northrop Grumman
- Origin / production countries
- United States
- Other names
- No additional names recorded
- Variants / configurations
- MQ-4C; mission-system increments differ
- Operators / programme customers
- United States Navy; Royal Australian Air Force
Evidence & current status
The cited public record documents military use or operator acceptance. Specifications still depend on the particular production version and mission configuration.
Role & capabilities
- Persistent maritime ISR
- High-altitude operation
- Multi-intelligence sensors
Specifications in context
- Airframe
- Fixed-wing remotely piloted aircraft
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Launch / recovery
- Runway operation
Broad configuration described in the linked manufacturer programme source.
Source ↗ - Propulsion
- Turbofan
Broad configuration described in the linked manufacturer programme source.
Source ↗ - Dimensions
- Wingspan: 39.9 m; Length: 14.5 m
Configuration-specific figures retained from the reviewed reference profile.
Source ↗ - Mass
- Maximum design take-off mass: 32,250 lb
Configuration-specific figures retained from the reviewed reference profile.
Source ↗ - Endurance
- Published endurance: More than 24 hours
Configuration-specific figures retained from the reviewed reference profile.
Source ↗ - Range
- Published range: 7,400 nautical miles
Configuration-specific figures retained from the reviewed reference profile.
Source ↗ - Speed
- Not established from the reviewed sources.
Public data gap; no estimate substituted. Follow the source for subsequent releases.
Source ↗ - Altitude
- Published operating altitude: Above 50,000 ft
Configuration-specific figures retained from the reviewed reference profile.
Source ↗ - Payload
- Not established from the reviewed sources.
Public data gap; no estimate substituted. Follow the source for subsequent releases.
Source ↗ - Sensors
- Configuration-specific intelligence sensor suite; see programme description
Published supplier specification; configuration and conditions affect performance.
Source ↗ - Communications / navigation
- Remotely managed maritime reconnaissance system
Broad configuration described in the linked manufacturer programme source.
Source ↗ - Wingspan
- 39.9 m
NAVAIR published metric value.
Source ↗ - Length
- 14.5 m
NAVAIR published metric value.
Source ↗ - Maximum design take-off mass
- 32,250 lb
Design gross mass, not payload capacity.
Source ↗ - Published endurance
- More than 24 hours
Broad programme specification; mission conditions vary.
Source ↗ - Published operating altitude
- Above 50,000 ft
NAVAIR description, not a stated absolute ceiling.
Source ↗ - Published range
- 7,400 nautical miles
Aircraft range; not a sensor or communications range.
Source ↗