RAAF 9 Squadron reforms with Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton RPAS.

Royal Australian Air Force's 9 Squadron reformed on June 11, to prepare for the delivery of the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system. The squadron has a proud wartime history, serving during World War 2 and the Vietnam War.

Follow Air Recognition on Google News at this link

Replica of an MQ-4C Triton RPAS displayed at Avalon International Airshow 2023 (Picture source: Australian Government/Corporal David Cotton)

Initially formed in 1939, 9 Squadron saw active service during World War 2 in the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian and Pacific Oceans, receiving 12 battle honours. Following its initial disbandment in 1944, 9 Squadron reformed 61 years ago on June 11, 1962, as a helicopter squadron undertaking active service in the Vietnam War. The squadron was then disbanded again in 1989.

Now, 9 Squadron will reform in 92 Wing Surveillance and Response Group. The headquarters will be located at RAAF Base Edinburgh and most Triton operations will occur from RAAF Base Tindal.

Triton will form part of Australia’s maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability, complementing Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon. The two aircraft systems will provide a leading-edge maritime patrol and response capability for Australia.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Rob Chipman said the re-establishment of 9 Squadron marked the beginning of a new era in the squadron’s distinguished history: “9 Squadron has played an incredibly important role in the Royal Australian Air Force, serving during critical times for Australia’s security,” Air Marshal Chipman said. “I’m proud to see the squadron return to service in 2023.”

Officer Commanding 92 Wing Group Captain Paul Carpenter said that as Air Force enters its second century, the MQ-4C Triton represented a fundamental change in utilising airpower: “Uncrewed aerial systems offer enormous potential to capitalise on the opportunities provided by modern payloads and increased endurance,” Group Captain Carpenter said. “This will deliver unprecedented persistence and awareness over the maritime domain in support of the Integrated Force.”

The reformation of 9 Squadron was announced by Defence Minister Richard Marles during the 2023 Australian International Airshow. Defence expects the delivery of its first Triton, including the relevant ground and support systems, next year.

The Australian Government confirmed in its 2016 Defence White Paper that the Royal Australian Air Force was to acquire seven MQ-4C Triton aircraft as part of its "Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability stream". On 26 June 2018, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the purchase of the first of six MQ-4C Tritons with consideration being given to purchase a seventh. In 2022, Australia had placed orders for three Tritons. A further three or four may be ordered in the future to meet a RAAF requirement for six to seven of the type. No. 9 Squadron was re-raised to operate the Tritons in June 2023, ahead of the expected delivery of the RAAF's first Triton in 2024.

The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed for the U.S. Navy as a surveillance aircraft. Developed under the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program, the system is intended to provide real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions (ISR) over vast ocean and coastal regions, continuous maritime surveillance, conduct search and rescue missions, and to complement the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Triton builds on elements of the RQ-4 Global Hawk; changes include reinforcements to the airframe and wing, de-icing systems, and lightning protection systems. These capabilities allow the aircraft to descend through cloud layers to gain a closer view of ships and other targets at sea when needed. The sensor suites allow ships to be tracked by gathering information on their speed, location, and classification.

The MQ-4C System Development and Demonstration (SDD) aircraft was delivered in 2012 and the MQ-4C was expected to be operational by late 2015 with a total of 67 aircraft to be procured. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the MQ-4C was achieved in 2018 with Full Operating Capability (FOC) planned in 2023.