The next generation of remotely piloted medium-altitude, long endurance aircraft.

The Protector RG Mk1 is a highly advanced remotely piloted aircraft used by the RAF. With long endurance and precision strike capability, it supports missions such as surveillance, search and rescue, and armed operations alongside NATO and US forces.

Role

The Protector will replace the Reaper (MQ-9A) in the Armed ISTAR role. Protector will be the first certified, remotely piloted air system and will be tactically interoperable with NATO and US assets. Based on the General Atomics – Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, the UK system will be designated Protector RG Mk1.

Technical Specifications

Specifications

Technical Specifications

Weapon Systems

Technical Specifications

Sensors

Capability

The Protector RG Mk1 offers extended range, over 40 hours of endurance, and advanced capabilities, including UK-specific enhancements like improved data links and weapon payloads (MBDA Brimstone 3A and Raytheon UK Paveway IV). Equipped with sensors for full-motion video, infrared imagery, synthetic aperture radar, and ground target tracking, it supports long-duration missions. Based at RAF Waddington, Protector will be operated by RAF crews from the UK, with deployments to up to two additional global locations. Its potential roles include Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA), maritime surveillance, and search and rescue.

Protector RG Mk 1 (MQ-9B) Recognition

Interactive 3D model of the Protector RG Mk 1 (MQ-9B) aircraft follows, you can interact with the model using buttons and mouse.

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Based at

Flying with

Roles

Pilot

History of the Protector RG Mk1

The Protector programme was first announced by the Prime Minister in October 2015. In July 2018, the Protector prototype made its first transatlantic flight to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), and 31 Squadron was named as the first Protector squadron.

In July 2020, the Ministry of Defence signed a £65 million contract for the initial purchase of three Protector aircraft, with an option to acquire 13 more. The following month, the UK and Belgium formalized a Bilateral Statement of Intent to collaborate on their MQ-9B programmes. By September 2020, the UK's first Protector completed its maiden flight.

During the summer of 2021, the Protector prototype returned to the UK for airspace integration flights and capability demonstrations. In November 2023, Protector achieved another milestone with its first flight in UK airspace.

Inside Air Podcast

Protector RG Mk 1 in action

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The Next Generation of Drones: A New Era for the Royal Air Force

The RAF's Protector RG Mk1 recently entered service, bringing world-leading remotely piloted capability (drone) to UK Defence. Able to fly for over 30 hours at altitudes up to 40,000 ft, Protector delivers cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), as well as strike operations, all remotely piloted from RAF Waddington.

The Next Generation of Drones: A New Era for the Royal Air Force

The RAF's Protector RG Mk1 recently entered service, bringing world-leading remotely piloted capability (drone) to UK Defence. Able to fly for over 30 hours at altitudes up to 40,000 ft, Protector delivers cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), as well as strike operations, all remotely piloted from RAF Waddington.

Ep 79: Protector to the Skies

InsideAIR goes behind the scenes at RAF Waddington as the RAF's latest Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) makes its maiden flight. The Protector RG Mk1 will offer a huge leap forward in terms of operability and capability as Sqn Ldr Daz Scales discovers.

RAF 60 Second Update 20

The latest 60 Second Update comes from 31 Squadron, the first UK-based Protector squadron, based at RAF Waddington.

UK's new Protector aircraft

RAF Waddington prepares for the arrival of the UK’s new Protector aircraft to its home of the Protector International Training Centre. A £94 million investment into infrastructural improvements will assist with housing the aircraft ahead of its entry into service in 2024.