The Royal Air Force (RAF) has flight-tested its MQ-9B Protector drone.
During the test, the RAF remotely piloted the aircraft at Waddington base in Lincolnshire, on the UK’s east coast.
The Lincolnshire base will be the site of future tests and drills, including international training under a NATO initiative.
“Today’s flight was a significant milestone and a culmination of a huge effort across the entire Protector enterprise,” Officer Commanding 56 Squadron Wing Commander Podmore said.
“The flight test team … should be tremendously proud noting this event marks the start of key integration and operational testing for the platform.”
Under the Protector program, the UK aims to replace its Reaper MQ-9As with a fleet of 16 MQ-9B Protectors.
The RAF first tested the MQ-9B drone in 2023, deploying it from RAF Waddington airfield, where a human operator controlled it in a ground-based cockpit.
Features
The Protector is an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle developed by General Atomics and designed to stay airborne for over 30 hours.
The aircraft can perform various missions, from close air support to disaster response.
Once fully operational, it will play a key role in the UK’s defense operations, contributing to intelligence gathering, surveillance, target acquisition, and strike missions.
It measures 37.5 feet (11.43 meters) in length with a wingspan of 79 feet (24 meters) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds (5,669 kilograms).
The Protector features automatic takeoff and landing capabilities and is equipped with a sophisticated sensor suite, including a high-definition electro-optical and infrared camera.
It can integrate various systems, such as 500-pound (226 kilograms) Paveway IV laser-guided bombs and Brimstone 3 missiles.
