A US MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sustained damage during flight on 27/4 at an undisclosed location, likely in the Middle East, according to statistics released by the US Naval Safety Command (NAVSAFECOM) and cited by Aviation Week magazine on 29/4. NAVSAFECOM did not specify the nature of the issue but confirmed the aircraft landed safely with no personnel injured.

This incident marks the second serious issue for the MQ-4C model in less than one month. Aviation tracking data revealed a US MQ-4C aircraft transmitted a distress signal on 9/4, shortly before its location signal vanished completely in the Persian Gulf. NAVSAFECOM later announced an MQ-4C UAV crashed on 9/4 but did not disclose the precise location.

US MQ-4C UAV taking off from Iwakuni Base in Japan in 2022. *Photo: US Navy*

Open-source intelligence analysts, as reported by military specialist site Defence Security Asia, identified the aircraft involved in the 27/4 incident as serial number 169661. This UAV appeared to be a replacement for the previously crashed one. It had departed from Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, conducting a reconnaissance mission under the callsign OVRLD01.

Earlier, on 12/12/2025, another MQ-4C UAV also experienced a serious incident while undergoing ground maintenance, though no one was injured. All three incidents have been classified as Class A, indicating either the destruction of the aircraft or damages totaling 2.5 million USD or more.

The MQ-4C Triton is a UAV designed for the US Navy, developed from the Air Force's RQ-4 Global Hawk model.

The Triton's mission is to provide real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data across vast ocean areas and near-shore coastlines. It also supports maritime patrol, search and rescue operations, and aids P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft. Each MQ-4C aircraft costs 180-230 million USD, depending on the production batch.

Features of the US Navy's MQ-4C UAV. Click on the image to view full details.

The Triton's primary sensor is the AN/ZPY-3 active electronically scanned array radar, which can observe an area of 5,200 sq km in a single scan from an altitude of 17 km. For lower-altitude operations, the Triton can deploy an MTS-B electro-optical/infrared sensor suite, similar to the MQ-9 Reaper, along with a laser designator and rangefinder.

The aircraft is also equipped with a modular electronic support measures (ESM) system. This system allows it to detect and identify radar signals remotely, helping to pinpoint the location of enemy forces.

The US Navy plans to commission a total of 27 aircraft, with the final delivery slated for 10/2028. This represents a significant reduction from the initial plan for 70 aircraft. Currently, the US Navy operates the MQ-4C in three regions: the Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

By Pham Giang (According to Aviation Week, Defence Security Asia)