Triton MQ-4C BAMS UAV
Posted on 02/23/2013 9:16:41 PM PST by BenLurkin
MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — The US Navy plans to build a drone base at an airfield in Point Magu, about 15 miles from Malibu.
Navy Base Ventura County, Point Mugu will add about 700 jobs when the four drones — called Tritons Unmanned Weapons Systems — are stationed.
Additional drones from Navy bases around the world would also land and takeoff at the Southern California base.
The planes are 48 feet long and have 138-foot wingspans. They were unveiled at Palmdale last summer, and represent the military’s next generation of remote control intelligence gear.
An environmental impact report said about five takeoffs and landings a day would be added at the Navy field. The planes would primarily take off and depart over the ocean, the Navy document said.
An existing fire station would be remodeled to provide quarters to control the planes. In future years, a new taxiway and hangar would be erected.
Cameras and other remote-control sensors would be operated by military intelligence officers from flight levels altitudes of around 58,000 feet, the Navy said.
Between employees, support staff and families, the project is estimated to bring about 2,380 people to the region.
So I guess this isn’t going to be devastated by the sequester, is it?
How can a smaller increase be called a cut???
They are hard wired into a wide ranging radar network for the Pacific Missile Range.
Now just send the drones on low fly-bys of the Malibu liberal's mansions...........
TMZ will probably buy a few so they can run flights and take pictures of movie stars.
Not going into a lot of detail here ... . but with a ~140 ft wingspan, these birds are not built for “buzzing” buildings. Let’s just say the Lockheed U2 had a wingspan of just 102ft.
It's interesting to speculate on what the Mugu drones' mission may be. There's been increased Chinese and Russian sub activity off the CA coast.
They will be looking for Chicom subs, no doubt.
I doubt this is for foreign surveillance, it is probably for Southern California.
700 people for four (4) Drones Give me a break!
PT Migu already has an airstrip and a command center!
God Forbid we need to house 10 fighters of any circumstance!
Could expect someone to show up complaining about what is sweet ‘defense’ jet noise overhead.
Pt Mugu is 20 minutes from us here. Five minutes or less by air.
Had a 25 year affiliation there with Grumman’s great F-14. Navy plots LOVED it.
It’s possible you - Bernard Marx - bought a house WAY after Pt. Mugu was established.
I am more concerned about drones overhead - based anywhere - than I ever was about jet noise.
Especially with BHO in the White Hut.
NAVY PILOTS - go ahead and announce you’re home - love it!
Read tagline ~
The thing that bugged me about the article was the Malibu connection. Magu has about as much to do with Malibu as the drones do with Obozo using them to make sure Babs house is okay!
‘__________Malibu connection_______.
Right - except, ya nevah know - - ! (Bab’s house).
Heard something is/will be going on at Signal Peak, that hilltop as one approaches Pt. Mugu from Las Posas Rd.
Can’t remember what it is.
Do a Google Images search for "Malibu Beach bikini", and I imagine you'll find the sort of pictures that the drone operators who recommended this location will be taking. The location is perfect for the young geeks who operate these UAVs.
And I wish them “Good Hunting”!
ROFL...where did you hear that?
These are enormous aircraft filled with different sensors.
These UAVs are designed for high-altitude broad-area maritime surveillance, and will be focused on the Western Pacific. The location is on the West Coast because it’s the closest part of CONUS to the West Pac (there will be forward operating bases in Guam as well).
It’s sad that people have been conditioned like Pavlov’s dogs to freak out over the word “drone” by the media.
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