The second Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has commenced ground trials at RAF Waddington with its first flight expected in August.  

Protector is based on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPA developed by GA-ASI and is specially configured for the RAF. The RAF has taken delivery of 10 of their total order of 16 Protectors from GA-ASI, with eight aircraft currently undergoing RAF crew training, test, and evaluation in the US.

Chris Dusseault, GA-ASI’s vice president of MQ-9B in Europe said it looks forward to additional MQ-9B aircraft operating in the UK and more broadly across Europe.

 Officer Commanding 31 Sqn, Wing Commander Maccoll said this summer, Protector will undertake further test and evaluation. He expects more aircraft arrivals before the end of the year.

Four cadres of RAF aircrew recently completed training at GA-ASI’s Flight Test and Training Centre in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The GA-ASI training involved RAF Operational Conversion Units, comprised of eight crews, including pilots, sensor operators and mission intelligence coordinators (MICs) from 31, 54, or 56 Squadrons.

The scope of the training is focused on foundational skills required to operate the Protector air vehicle and its equipment, including the Multi-Spectral Targeting System , Synthetic Aperture Radar, Mission Intelligence Station, and System for Tasking and Real-Time Exploitation. Training involves building solid foundations for both normal and emergency operations in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance systems, instrument flying, and automatic take-off and landing.

Having completed the Protector Technicians course at GA-ASI facilities in Southern California in May, Number 31 Squadron now has another 21 qualified maintainers. As part of their training course, the RAF maintainers can directly support the training flights for their aircrew counterparts who are completing the live flying element of their Operational Conversion course from North Dakota.

MQ-9B is GA-ASI’s next-generation RPA which delivers long endurance and range, with auto take-off and landing under SATCOM-only control. It is the first RPA to fly in non-segregated airspace using GA-ASI’s Detect and Avoid system. 

In addition to the RAF, contracts have been signed with Belgium, Canada, Taiwan and the US Air Force’s Special Operations Command.

The Japan Coast Guard is operating the MQ-9B for maritime operations, which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force also selected for its Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Trial Operation Project. MQ-9B has supported various US Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.