The first of Australia’s future fleet of autonomous long-range ISR platforms has been officially unveiled at a ceremony in the United States. Northrop Grumman has unveiled the first of at least six
Basically the Triton (derived from the Global Hawk, if you've heard of that) is an extra set of sensors that flies super high - higher than most air traffic. Because the crews aren't in the aircraft, they can swap out as needed while the Triton is airborne. The aircraft's UNCLAS endurance is 30 hours as per Wiki.
The one downside is that it it doesn't carry weapons or any deployable payload - it's just an eye (and ear) in the sky.
The RAAF is buying a 4th Triton even though the line is shutting down next year. Apparently the USN is only getting 22 Tritons rather than the expected 70.
Australia will upgrade its fleet of P-8 patrol aircraft so they can eventually fire missiles out to 1,000 kilometres, while also purchasing another long-range Triton drone from the United States.
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