First Royal Air Power MQ-9B Protector Drone Completes Maiden Flight

The UK Royal Air Power’s first MQ-9B Protector Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) has accomplished its maiden flight in Lincoln.

Through the check, the plane was deployed from the RAF Waddington airfield and was guided by a human operator in a ground-based cockpit.

The milestone adopted the plane’s handover to the service in October as a part of a contract signed with Common Atomics in 2020.

In 2021, the UK ordered 13 further MQ-9Bs, growing the longer term Protector fleet to 16.

‘A Key Second’

The MQ-9B is now conducting trials to arrange for subject operations upon induction, the air drive wrote.

The system’s duties will embody maritime and land surveillance, counter-terrorism, and civil authority assist.

Moreover, the navy will leverage the drone to help search and rescue missions spearheaded by HM Coastguard, the British authorities’s nationwide maritime emergency phase.

“At DE&S one in all our key drivers is strengthening operations by offering cutting-edge gear into the fingers of our Armed Forces,” UK Defence Tools & Assist RPAS Head Simon Holford acknowledged. 

“Seeing the primary UK Protector take flight on UK soil is a key second alongside that journey to our objective.”

Supporting EU Airspace

The UK’s future MQ-9B fleet is scheduled to enter service by 2025. Upon supply and mandatory trials, the drones will exchange the Royal Air Power’s Reaper MQ-9As, operational for over 15 years.

Along with home intelligence, goal acquisition, and reconnaissance, the Protectors might be evaluated for NATO requirements and different security certifications for civilian airspace in Europe.