Skip to content
Aviation

Second RAF Protector Now Operating in Waddington

General Atomics 4 mins read

With Two Protector RPAs in the UK, GA-ASI Has Delivered a Total of 10 Protectors to RAF; First Four Cadres of RAF Aircrew Complete Training at FTTC

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 22, 2024 / The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force (RAF) now has two Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) operating at RAF Waddington. The second Protector has started its ground trial at RAF Station Waddington with first flight expected in August. Protector is based on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian® RPA developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (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 United States.

"We're thrilled to see a second Protector operating at Waddington," said Chris Dusseault, GA-ASI's vice president of MQ-9B in Europe. "The Royal Air Force is a great partner for GA-ASI, and we look forward to additional MQ-9B aircraft operating in the U.K. and more broadly across Europe."

Simon Holford, Uncrewed Air Systems Delivery Team Leader at Defence Equipment & Support, said: "Seeing delivery and assembly of the second Protector aircraft in the UK is yet another measure of the significant progress on this project and testament to the hard work of everyone involved. Together with the three aircraft we have already taken delivery of in the U.S. (which remain in the U.S. for use in trials and/or training), we have now taken delivery of five of the 16 aircraft we have ordered."

Officer Commanding 31 Sqn, Wing Commander Maccoll, said, "I'm delighted to see another RAF Protector assembled at RAF Waddington, thanks to the hard work of our Programme team, Defence partners, contractors, and the skill of 31 Squadron personnel. This summer, Protector will undertake further test and evaluation and we expect more aircraft arrivals before the end of the year. "

In another program milestone, the first of four cadres of RAF aircrew completed training on April 29, 2024, at GA-ASI's Flight Test and Training Center (FTTC) in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The GA-ASI training involved RAF Operational Conversion Units (OCUs), which are comprised of eight crews, including pilots, sensor operators (SOs), 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 (MTS), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Mission Intelligence Station (MIS), and System for Tasking and Real-Time Exploitation (STARE). Training involves building solid foundations for both normal and emergency operations in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, instrument flying, and Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC).

With the completion of the Protector Technicians course at GA-ASI facilities in Southern California on May 16, 2024, Number 31 Squadron now has another 21 qualified maintainers. As part of their training course, the RAF maintainers were able to directly support the training flights for their aircrew counterparts who were completing the live flying element of their Operational Conversion course from North Dakota.

MQ-9B is GA-ASI's next-generation RPA System (RPAS), delivering exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under SATCOM-only control, and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system. In addition to the RAF, contracts have been signed with Belgium, Canada, Taiwan and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. The Japan Coast Guard is currently operating the MQ-9B for maritime operations, which the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) also selected for its Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Trial Operation Project. MQ-9B has additionally supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.

About GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.

For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.

Avenger, Lynx, Predator, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

# # #

Contact Information

GA-ASI Media Relations
asi-mediarelations@ga-asi.com

SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

.

View the original press release on newswire.com.

More from this category

  • Aviation, Disability
  • 05/12/2024
  • 12:29
Shane Hyrochec, Disability Advocate and Chair of Accessible Beaches Australia.

Government action required to deliver accessibility for Disabled Airline Passengers- Airlines can’t be trusted to do this themselves

As Australia enters the busiest travel season of the year, people with disability risk being left behind. Given the lack of consistent support from airlines, a new campaign is being launched to seek action from the Federal Government. Only consistent, regulated standards will ensure all people with disabilities are able to travel on planes with ease and dignity. The campaign, supported by a video featuring Shane Hryhorec and a visit to Australia by Sophie Morgan of Rights on Flights, aims to bring broader attention to the systemic issues in air travel that result in mistreatment, discrimination, and dangerous situations for…

  • Aviation
  • 04/12/2024
  • 06:10
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Japan Maritime Defense Force Selects SeaGuardians From GA-ASI

SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 3, 2024 / The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has selected the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) SeaGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems for its Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program. This follows JMSDF use of SeaGuardian since May 2023 as part of its Medium-Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) RPA System Trial Operations Project.SeaGuardian has been used by JMSDF to conduct various tests including whether unmanned aircraft can supplant some of the missions currently accomplished with manned aircraft. SeaGuardian is a MALE RPA system that can fly for 24 hours or more, depending…

  • Aviation
  • 03/12/2024
  • 05:10
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

15 Companies Pitch Their Capabilities at GA-ASI’s Blue Magic Netherlands

Nov. 19 Event Hosted by GA-ASI and Supported by Lockheed Martin Ventures and Brainport Attracts Cross-Section of Netherlands' High-Tech Sector SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 2, 2024 / On November 19, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) hosted its first Blue Magic Netherlands (BMN) event in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Approximately 200 people attended the event that provided Dutch businesses with an opportunity to present their capabilities to GA-ASI and other companies interested in possible collaborations. GA-ASI was joined for the event by the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Brainport…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.