Northrop Grumman has announced that new software for the US Navy's MQ-4C Triton long-range patrol drone has passed a key flight test. The Triton is an upgraded maritime patrol version of Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk, and it's now on track for initial deployment by the Navy next year. The new software upgrade is a step toward tackling a problem that had grounded Northrop Grumman's program to provide long-range drones to Germany —and it has wider implications for autonomous aircraft of all sorts.