KBR provides Triton mission support

Adelaide-based KBR Australia has been awarded a contract of undisclosed value to continue supporting the MQ-4C Triton autonomous aircraft with critical mission planning capabilities until November this year. KBR mission planning specialists support the MQ-4C Triton aircraft at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory and at 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh near Adelaide in South Australia.

This technical support enables the remotely piloted aircraft to taxi, take off, conduct missions and return safely to the airfield – capabilities that have recently been tested at RAAF Base Tindal in taxi and flight trials, the company said in a statement.  

“Our ongoing work supporting Triton reflects the team’s enormous contribution ahead of the formal start of aircraft operations and KBR’s world-leading mission planning and sustainment capabilities,” said Nic Mann, KBR’s Vice President Australia Defence Security Solutions. “KBR mission planning systems draw on highly efficient software and supporting technologies to enable detailed, integrated planning, precise execution and post-mission debriefing.” 

Over the past four years, KBR has supported a range of technical activities to support Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) operations in Australia, the company adds. Since 2020, KBR has supported Triton’s aeronautical and geospatial requirements, mission planning network development and mission planning. KBR developed and loaded the mission plans for Triton’s recent taxi and flight trials.   

Australia is acquiring four MQ-4C Triton aircraft and associated ground support systems. Triton is a high-altitude long-endurance RPAS manufactured in the US by Northrop Grumman. It will conduct long-range, persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions across Australia’s maritime approaches and its broader areas of interest.   

Triton will complement the Australian Defence Force’s crewed P-8A Poseidon fleet which is tasked with undertaking enhanced ISR missions to support Australia’s defence and security.