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New Generation Of Military Drones Coming To South Coast For Testing

Naval Base Ventura County to receive the first operational MQ-4C Triton drone for testing before it becomes operational

The first in a new generation of high tech Navy drones is set to be delivered to Naval Base Ventura County this month for testing.

Northrop Grumman has been developing the MQ-4C Triton drones for intelligence and surveillance operations over the world’s oceans. The drones are being built in Palmdale, with a $17 billion dollar contract calling for 68 of the aircraft.

It’s expected two drones will be delivered to Point Mugu by the end of the year for testing before being deployed for duty in Guam. The drones are related to ones currently used by the Air Force in areas like Afghanistan. They have a 130 foot wingspan, and can fly nonstop for about 24 hours at a time.

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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