Personnel from the Royal Air Force (RAF) have graduated as crewmen of the Protector RG Mk1 unmanned aircraft system after completing an introductory course in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Members of the Operational Conversion Course 1 group — pilots, sensor operators, and mission intelligence coordinators — underwent extensive ground school training, mission simulator evaluation, and live flying drills to ensure flight readiness.
Coursework took place at the General Atomics – Aeronautical Systems Incorporated Flight Test & Training Center, with live flying exercises occurring in California via satellite link.
The Protector program will take on various roles in the RAF, focusing mainly on intelligence and surveillance in non-segregated airspace.
Initial operating capability for the first eight of 16 Protector drones is set for 2025.
The Protector RG Mk1
Designed as a premier intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability, the Protector is set to replace the air force’s MQ-9 Reaper drone.
The drone is designed to fly up to 40 hours via satellite link in all weather and safely integrate into civil airspace.
It collects real-time data with its Lynx multi-role radar. It can also perform disaster relief, search and rescue, border enforcement, and electronic warfare roles due to its increased endurance.