Northrop Grumman and Boeing Demo Automated Teamwork Between Triton Drone and Poseidon Aircraft

Northrop Grumman and Boeing have successfully demonstrated the first automated crewed-uncrewed teaming between their MQ-4C Triton drone and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

The demonstration, which saw the uncrewed Triton and piloted Poseidon exchange maritime intelligence through a standardized machine-to-machine interface using artificial intelligence (AI) and an open systems architecture, was jointly funded by the two companies.

The high-altitude long-endurance drone used AI algorithms to respond to the patrol aircraft’s request, enhancing automated interoperability between the two platforms for maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, and anti-surface warfare missions.

Jane Bishop, VP and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Global Surveillance Division, said that the MQ-4C Triton and P-8A are the backbone of the US Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force, delivering complementary capabilities unmatched by any other platforms.