The Royal Air Force (RAF) delivered its second Protector International MQ-9B Short Look event of 2026 at RAF Waddington, welcoming thirteen international personnel from Canada, Denmark, NATO Flying Training Europe (NFTE) and the German Navy, over 15 - 24 September 2026.
Sponsored by Air CAP Protector International, as part of the MQ-9 International Co-operation Support Partnership (MIC SP), bringing together aircrew, engineering, intelligence and acquisition personnel from the participating NATO nations to strengthen international collaboration by sharing the UK’s lived experience of bringing the General Atomics MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) into service with the RAF. Short Look provided an in-depth overview of the UK’s MQ-9B operations, covering aircrew and engineer training delivered by 54 Sqn and Inzpire, airfield integration, weapons capabilities including MBDA’s Brimstone 3 and Raytheon’s Paveway IV, intelligence support, security aspects and cyberspace operations.
By fostering international cooperation and mutual understanding, the Short Look initiative assists the UK’s key allies within the MIC SP by informing the future planning and procurement for those nations interested in, or in the process of, procuring MQ-9B RPAS.
The first RAF MQ-9B Short Look back in Mar 26 brought together years of experience and expertise from across the RAF, and our UK industry partners, for the benefit of our NATO colleagues. This second Short Look further promotes our international collaboration efforts with our NATO partners, and I welcome the first participation in a Short Look event from NFTE and the German Navy. Aligned with the UK Government’s ‘NATO First’ ambition, the event continued to demonstrate that by planning together, working together and investing together, when the future operational environment dictates, our increasing alignment will allow us to better fight together. Protector/MQ-9B offers a step change in capability and opportunities over its predecessor, the MQ-9A, and Short Look supports our partners in maximising this platform’s utility for all nations and the Alliance. In November 2025, the UK commenced the first operational use of MQ-9B over the Middle East and the learned lessons from this have helped to shape the Course and ultimately strengthen the collective readiness of NATO.
Group Captain Rich
Senior officer in charge of event leadership
The RCAF is truly grateful for the chance to see a comprehensive, unvarnished examination of the maintenance and aircrew training challenges that the RAF has faced introducing the MQ-9B to service. This information will greatly assist the RCAF with its implementation of the CQ9B Guardian in the near term. While Canada is close to implementation, the insights gained here will inform personnel matters for both Ground and Air crews.
Spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Air Force
The Danish delegation greatly appreciates the openness and professionalism shown by the RAF throughout the Short Look event. Learning directly from experienced RAF personnel has given us valuable perspectives as we build Denmark’s future MQ-9B capability, from training and operations to engineering and sustainment. The event has, once again, reinforced the value of close cooperation between MQ-9B operators, and we look forward to continuing, and further strengthening, that relationship in the years ahead
Danish National Lead
NFTE is fast evolving into the one-stop-shop for all training required to support the operations of manned and unmanned aircraft. The Short Look event has brought together many of the nations who are procuring the MQ-9B and facilitated rich discussion on the future of unmanned platform training across the alliance.
NSPA Officer
