The Navy’s Persistent Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) program office (PMA-262) held a change of command ceremony July 10 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, where Capt. Patrick Murphy relieved Capt. Josh Guerre, who will retire after 25 years of honorable service.
NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. Carl Chebi delivered remarks during the ceremony, highlighting Guerre’s success during his four-year tenure as program manager.
The MQ-4C Triton test team conducted the first flight to assess the unmanned aircraft system’s ability to fly with wing ice accumulation Jan. 25 at Patuxent River.
This was the first of approximately 15 flights planned through spring 2023 that will clear Triton to fly in icing conditions.
“Triton’s ability to fly in icing conditions is a top priority for the fleet,” said Capt. Josh Guerre, MQ-4C Triton Program Manager. “The greater ability we have to fly in harsh weather conditions, the more capability we can provide to the fleet.”
The Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Demonstrator (BAMS-D) returned from Fifth Fleet to its home base at Pax River June 17, marking the end of a 13-year deployment, originally intended to be just six months.
The unmanned aircraft landed at Pax River shortly after 2:00 p.m. where the dedicated BAMS-D team of military, civilian and contractor personnel welcomed its arrival.
The Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-262) welcomed a new program manager during a change of command ceremony Aug.12 at NAS Patuxent River.
Rear Adm. Brian Corey, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)), presided over the ceremony at the MQ-4C Triton’s hangar where Capt. Dan Mackin transferred leadership to Capt. (sel) Josh Guerre.
The Navy conducted its first test flight of the MQ-4C Triton in its upgraded hardware and software configuration July 29 at NAS Patuxent River, beginning the next phase of the unmanned aircraft’s development.
The MQ-4C Triton flew in its new configuration, known as Integrated Functional Capability (IFC)-4, which will bring an enhanced multi-mission sensor capability as part of the Navy’s Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (MISR&T) transition plan.
The Triton program team coordinated a C-17 airlift to move the unmanned air system’s expeditionary Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Pax River to a forward location April 13 in an effort to increase Triton’s operational flexibility in the future.
The fleet requested this expeditionary capability to provide the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet (MPRF) additional geographic flexibility to support operations beginning in summer 2021.
The U.S. Navy’s Triton team is working alongside its partners from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to develop and execute the cooperative program between the two countries.
