The U.S. Navy is currently conducting tests on an innovative autonomous drone, known as TRITON, in the waters of West Africa during the Obangame Express multinational maritime exercise. The TRITON drone, capable of operating both above and below the water’s surface, is part of an initiative to support African nations in their efforts to combat piracy, the illicit drug trade, and other unlawful activities prevalent in the Gulf of Guinea.
Rear Adm. Michael Mattis, director of Strategic Effects at U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, emphasized the significance of these trials, which aim to evaluate the drone’s suitability for extended, sustained operations in the region. This comes at a time when the U.S. is keen on strengthening ties with West African partners, particularly in light of recent political upheavals, such as the coup in Niger that led to the abandonment of a substantial U.S. drone base.
The two-week exercise, concluding on May 17, involves various operations including the deployment and retrieval of the TRITON from the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams, as well as vessel boarding, search, and seizure procedures. These activities are crucial in determining the drone’s reliability in a region where logistical challenges are commonplace.
The TRITON is world’s first and only Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicle (AUSV). It can sail and submerge autonomously to collect data both above and below the ocean’s surface and relay it to you from anywhere, at anytime.
Weighing 775 pounds and measuring 14½ feet in length, the TRITON surface drone is produced by Ocean Aero, based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Its aerial counterpart, the MQ-4C Triton, is manufactured by Northrop Grumman. The U.S. Navy’s growing reliance on a diverse array of drones—encompassing aerial, surface, and underwater types—is seen as essential for future conflict deterrence and operations.
The TRITON accelerates maritime domain awareness missions with a minimal logistics footprint while still carrying an array of tools in its agnostic payload bays (wing, body and keel). Easily transported by air or ground and deployable from ship or shore, the TRITON offers a variety of mission sets performed independently and can connect seafloor to space for a more networked approach with other crewed and uncrewed systems.
TRITONs can be outfitted with high resolution video line scanners, combined thermal imagery (SWIR), solid state radars, passive mini-towed arrays, side-scan and gap-filler sonars, and many, many other of the world’s most sophisticated sensors.
It is primarily tasked for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), MCM (Mine Counter-Measures), and ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) missions.
The TRITON has already demonstrated its capabilities and adaptability during the initial phase of the Obangame exercise. Despite encountering a minor setback with a hull crack on one of the drones, the swift repair and redeployment process showcased the manufacturer’s responsiveness. Additionally, the drone’s performance in an estuary environment provided valuable insights into its operational limits, particularly concerning battery life and speed.
One of the TRITON’s distinctive features is its ability to submerge, which aids in evading detection and avoiding collisions. It is equipped with three underwater thrusters, allowing it to remain in a designated area for up to eight days or undertake missions lasting up to five days. When operating on the surface, the TRITON can function for two weeks or more, contributing to a range of missions including mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and seabed operations.
Following the conclusion of the Obangame exercise, the TRITON drones will remain aboard the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams for further use in upcoming U.S. military exercises in Morocco and potentially Portugal. The introduction of the TRITON is part of a broader U.S. Navy commitment to the Gulf of Guinea, encompassing the development of maritime operational centers, coastal radar systems, and the donation of vessels to African navies, such as the recent commissioning of two former U.S. Coast Guard cutters into Ghana’s navy.
The overarching goal of these efforts is to provide partner nations with the necessary tools to effectively address the maritime challenges they face, thereby enhancing regional security and stability.