MQ-4C Triton
Low-Rate ProductionDrone · Navy · Northrop Grumman
High-altitude, long-endurance unmanned maritime surveillance aircraft.
Total Cost
$14.7B
Unit Cost
$0.2B per unit
Cost Overrun
+52%
Development
16 years
Planned Units
68
Delivered
4
Start Year
2008
IOC Year
2024
Delivery Progress6% (4 / 68)
Key Details
Based on Global Hawk design. Provides persistent maritime ISR.
💸 Taxpayer Alert: 52% Over Budget
The MQ-4C Triton program has exceeded its original budget by 52%. At $14.7B, this represents billions in cost growth that could have funded schools, healthcare, or infrastructure. This is a pattern across Pentagon weapons programs — the military-industrial complex has little incentive to control costs.
Why Does This Keep Happening? →What Else Could $14.7B Buy?
🏫 980 new public schools
🏥 29 community hospitals
🎓 420,000 four-year college scholarships
🌉 49 bridge replacements