The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has recently marked a significant advancement in its Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities with the graduation of the first crews to operate the sophisticated Protector RG Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS). After a year of specialized training at the General Atomics (GA) Flight Test & Training Centre in Grand Forks, North Dakota, personnel from 54 Squadron and 56 Squadron have successfully completed the inaugural basic phase course.
These newly minted operators, including pilots, sensor operators, and mission intelligence coordinators, underwent intensive ground school training and the evaluation of simulated scenarios in advanced mission simulators. The practical aspect of their training involved the live flying of the Protector aircraft, situated in California, via a satellite link under the guidance of GA instructors.
Wing Commander Evans, OC 54 Squadron, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “The completion of the Basic Phase Course is a huge milestone in the delivery of the Protector programme, with 56 Squadron personnel now able to return to the UK to complete vital testing and unlock UK training and global operations.”
The Protector, an enhancement over its predecessor, the Sky Guardian, is the RAF’s unique configuration of the MQ-9B Reaper system. Notably, the Protector is slated to become the world’s first certificated remotely piloted aerial system that can fly in non-segregated airspace, sharing the skies with manned aircraft. This integration into shared airspace has been made possible by advanced software that allows the system to distinguish between friendly and adversarial aircraft and to avoid collisions.
The Protector’s capabilities are not just limited to its ground-breaking ‘detect and avoid’ technology. It is equipped with a suite of advanced equipment and precision strike weapons, providing a critical armed surveillance capability. With the potential to endure over 30 hours of flight, the Protector will be a formidable asset in the RAF’s ISTAR operations around the globe.
The RAF has committed to an investment in 16 Protector RG Mk1 UAS, with the first eight expected to enable an Initial Operating Capability scheduled for 2025 at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. This base will act as the launch and recovery site for domestic training and as the command and control center for overseas operations.
Air Commodore Nick Paton, the RAF’s ISTAR Force Commander, underscored the strategic importance of the Protector by stating that it will support UK industry and contribute significantly to the nation’s defense capabilities. Elements of the aircraft are being manufactured by UK firms, bolstering domestic technological expertise and infrastructure.
Relevant articles:
– RAF personnel graduate as Protector UAS operators, Airforce Technology
– First RAF personnel graduate as Protector crews, Royal Air Force
– Royal Air Force: first RAF personnel graduate as Protector RG Mk1 crews, Defence Industry Europe
– Protector RG Mk 1 (MQ-9B), Royal Air Force