Protector RG Mk1, the first Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) that is capable of flying in UK Airspace, has completed another milestone in its Test & Evaluation Programme.
The Air Vehicle (AV) has flown from RAF Waddington, Lincoln through UK Airspace to land at RAF Marham in Norfolk, demonstrating its ability to safely operate in controlled airspace.
The arrival at RAF Marham establishes the procedures required to divert the AV to another airfield other than its Main Operating Base (RAF Waddington). This flight and land away required coordination with the National Air Traffic Service (NATS), Swanwick Military Air Traffic Control and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority to establish permission to fly in UK Airspace.
This whole force effort included the test team of 56 Squadron, the ISTAR Air Wing and RAF Marham Operations Wing who provided engineering support and hangar space for Protector’s overnight stay. 31 Squadron – the first Protector squadron – deployed engineers to Marham to oversee the arrival and dispatch of Protector.
“Providing the assurance for flight operations en-route to, and at RAF Marham is a crucial step in the programme, increasing flexibility for both test and training.
It has been another cross-stakeholder effort involving the test team at 56 Sqn, ISTAR Air Wing especially 31 Squadron who have led the engineering and logistical elements, and both Marham and Waddington Air Bases facilitating procedure implementation alongside airspace leads.”
Officer Commanding 56 Squadron
Further testing will be completed over the summer prior to the planned transition from the RAF’s Reaper platform to Protector later in 2025.
“Today’s land away was an opportunity for 31 Squadron to exercise our engineering and support functions, ahead of future deployments. Working closely with 56 Squadron, who flew today’s sortie, 31 Squadron engineers were proud to receive the aircraft following this historic first land away of a certified RAF RPAS.”
Wing Commander Maccoll
Officer Commanding 31 Squadron
Protector introduces a unique and long-endurance capability to UK Defence, specialising in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance as well as strike operations. When operational, this advanced system can be deployed globally with minimal on-site support, making it highly versatile for various missions.
“The arrival of Protector at RAF Marham represents a step change in RAF capability. We are now able to receive, refuel and rearm Protector whenever required, away from its home base. I’d like to thank Operations Wing for their exceptional efforts to make this advancement in capability possible.”
Wing Commander Williamson
RAF Marham's Officer Commanding Operations Wing
Remotely piloted from RAF Waddington, it can operate at heights up to 40,000 feet and has an endurance of over 30 hours. RAF Waddington is also the home to the UK’s Protector Training Facility, housing elements of the UK NATO Flight Training Europe facility and managed by 54 Squadron.
