Initial flight tests of Triton done

SAN DIEGO -- Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy successfully completed the first major milestone of the Triton unmanned aircraft system flight test program, clearing the aircraft to fly at various altitudes, speeds and weights. During the test program, known as initial envelope expansion, the team validated more than 568 test points. The flights took place at the company's manufacturing facility in Palmdale, Calif. The Navy plans to build 68 Tritons that will be used with the manned P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to conduct persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions across vast ocean and coastal regions. (Source: Northrop Grumman via PRNewswire, 03/24/14) Gulf Coast note: Central fuselage work on Tritons is done in Moss Point, Miss.