Seen flying over RAF Waddington, the Protector RG1 is due to enter UK service later in 2025. (Crown Copyright)
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is progressing flight trials of its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B Protector RG1, ahead of the formal entry into service of the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) later in 2025.
The service announced the second flight at the site of the Protector's future home operating station of RAF Waddington in northern England on 12 February.
“RAF Waddington is at the forefront of future intelligence aviation platforms, with Protector taking to the skies to conduct further flight activity in Phase 3 of its test and evaluation programme prior to service with the RAF,” the announcement said, adding, “Under the supervision of 56 (Test & Evaluation) Squadron (TES), supported by 31 and 54 squadrons, the second UK flight of Protector was undertaken with an all-UK crew flying from the new RAF ground station building at RAF Waddington.”
With the first of 16 Protector RG1s delivered to RAF Waddington in September 2023, there are now four such air vehicles at the station with a further three being used for test and evaluation duties in the United States.
The first eight air vehicles will support the standing up of initial operating capability (IOC) in 2025, at which time the Protector RG1 will replace the GA-ASI MQ-9A Reaper in United Kingdom service. Full operating capability (FOC) is scheduled to follow in 2026, but may now be delayed pending the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) due in the coming months.
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