Northrop builds UAV demonstrator

According to an UPI.com press release, the Triton will provide a detailed picture of surface vessels to identify threats across vast areas of ocean and littoral areas and complements many manned surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

"The aircraft will initially be used to further testing efforts for the Navy as we prepare Triton to be operational in late 2015," saya Steve Enewold, Northrop Grumman's vice president and program manager for Triton.

"Eventually, we will use the aircraft as a test bed to improve system performance, incorporate new intelligence-gathering capabilities and conduct demonstrations."

Northrop is building the design and demonstrator using its own funding.

The company said the aircraft's wing sections have already been joined to the aircraft's fuselage and that the aircraft will be outfitted with the same intelligence-gathering sensors and communications suite as the Navy's Triton program.