Mission Capability of Uncrewed Aircraft Key to High North Security

By Jane Bishop, Vice President and General Manager, Global Surveillance, Northrop Grumman

For decades, Norway has been the eyes and ears in the High North for the US, NATO and other allied nations, leading the way for global security in the region.

The new long-term defence plan, ratified by the Norwegian Parliament this summer, significantly enhances the nation’s maritime efforts through a clear focus on security in the region. A key part of that plan bolsters Norway’s ability to detect and understand potential adversaries' intentions. This is paramount to protecting the region and providing the first line of defence to the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

As a result, Norway will acquire long-range maritime drones for persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T). These drones will complement their current P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance fleet. As Norway determines which aircraft to procure for this critical mission, key considerations should include the mission capability of each system and their ability to integrate with Norway’s P-8 fleet and allied forces in the region. Additionally, the ability to integrate with satellites should be considered to give increased technological advantage to Norway.

For this mission, Norway is considering two Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) solutions. First is the MQ-4C Triton, a High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) system, which operates at 55,000 feet and is the United States Navy’s only platform for uncrewed maritime surveillance. The Triton aircraft is distinguished by its ability to fly higher and see more than other UAVs, a feature that enables Norway to procure a small fleet of Tritons with significantly more capability to meet mission requirements. Triton will have domestic defense Polar SATCOM in 2024 and is immediately capable of utilizing Norway’s investment in Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission. Triton’s ability to integrate to P-8s and satellites provides superior capabilities over other UAVs.

The second option is the MQ-9 SeaGuardian Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) system, capable of only about half the service ceiling of Triton. The lower service ceiling has also led to increased risk, as losses have been seen over the past year with multiple MALE aircraft being shot down. Selecting a MALE system would also require Norway to procure approximately four times as many units than more capable HALE aircraft, which in turn drives a higher staffing requirement.

Far fewer HALE aircraft are required to meet Norway’s surveillance needs in the region due to several advantages HALE brings to operational commanders. The high-altitude capability allows for larger area sensors to safely cover vast areas of ocean outside of adversarial air defence systems, providing increased survivability. HALE systems also fly above the weather, providing operational freedom in adverse conditions and they are equipped with a multi-intelligence suite of sensors integrated into the airframe. Integrated sensors provide a 360-degree view for every mission without sacrificing altitude, range or endurance.

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In contrast, MALE systems come in multiple configurations to suit different missions. Their configurable pods can be seen as a flexible tool; however, pods reduce range and endurance, and they require a larger number of aircraft and manpower to do different missions simultaneously.

Norway’s selection of HALE offers significant advantages, including seamlessly integrating with allied forces and their own P-8A Poseidon fleet. In fact, Triton is the only UAV that has been integrated with the P-8, allowing Norwegian commanders to leverage the U.S. Navy’s Triton/P-8 teaming construct to enable their own integration. This template for manned-unmanned teaming allows Norway to maximize investments already made on the P-8s while benefiting from the force mix structure of allied nations with analogous maritime interests, including Australia, which partnered with the U.S. to jointly develop Triton for interoperability with their P-8 fleet.

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Another significant advantage includes knowledge sharing between the U.S. and Norway, whose goals to build and strengthen the global security posture seamlessly align, putting Norway at the forefront of regional surveillance. Selection of HALE also complements NATO’s use of five RQ-4D Phoenix HALE aircraft and intentions to grow the Alliance Ground Surveillance fleet. As NATO evaluates Norwegian bases, co-basing with the Norwegian fleet could offer increased global security, resilience and redundancy for ISR&T. There would undoubtedly be synergies if HALE aircraft from Norway and NATO are collocated at Andøya as prescribed in Norway’s LTDP or Ørland.

Long-range maritime drones are critical to Norway’s defense ability to detect and understand potential adversaries' intentions. Given Norway’s geography and strategic position, a HALE solution that leverages allied investments and delivers higher mission effectiveness and survivability with fewer aircraft than MALE systems will help ensure that Norway continues to lead the way in the High North.