Latest news with #ProtectorRGMk1
Sustainability Times
24-06-2025
- Sustainability Times
'Britain Just Sent This Beast Into the Sky': UK Unleashes First Combat Drone With 5,750-Mile Strike Range
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 The Royal Air Force has introduced the Protector RG Mk1 drone , marking a new era in unmanned combat aviation. , marking a new era in unmanned combat aviation. 🌐 Designed by General Atomics, the drone offers persistent ISTAR and precision strike capabilities with a reach of over 5,750 miles. and precision strike capabilities with a reach of over 5,750 miles. 📡 Equipped with advanced systems, it can safely operate within civilian airspace and is compliant with NATO and UK standards. and is compliant with NATO and UK standards. 🎯 The Protector program includes a dedicated training facility, ensuring that RAF personnel maximize the drone's operational potential. The integration of cutting-edge technology in military operations has always been a game-changer, and the United Kingdom's latest advancement is no exception. The Royal Air Force (RAF) has officially introduced the Protector RG Mk1 drone into its service, marking a pivotal moment in British defense aviation. This new addition ushers in a fresh era of unmanned combat aviation, effectively replacing the older MQ-9A Reaper platform. With its remarkable capabilities, the Protector RG Mk1 is set to redefine the boundaries of modern warfare, offering unprecedented endurance and precision in military operations. The Revolutionary 5,750-Mile Drone The Protector RG Mk1, designed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), represents a substantial leap forward in unmanned aerial technology. This drone is not just a replacement for the previous MQ-9A Reaper; it's a multi-domain solution that provides persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and precision strike capabilities. The Protector can operate continuously for over 30 hours, reaching altitudes of up to 40,000 feet, and covering ranges exceeding 5,000 nautical miles (approximately 5,750 miles), depending on its configuration. This advanced system can carry significant payloads, including 500-pound Paveway IV laser-guided bombs and Brimstone 3 missiles, enhancing its combat effectiveness. The successful test flight from RAF Waddington to RAF Marham demonstrated its integration with UK civil aviation standards, marking a historic achievement for the RAF. As Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff, noted, the Protector's entry into service ensures that the RAF remains at the forefront of uncrewed airpower, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the teams and industry partners involved. 'Earth's Core Is Acting Up': NASA Links Planet-Wide Disturbance to Mysterious Energy Surge Emerging From Deep Within the Mantle First-Time Service: A New Era The Protector RG Mk1 is equipped with a 79-foot wingspan and incorporates several key subsystems, including GA-ASI's Lynx Multi-mode Radar, an electro-optical/infrared sensor suite, SATCOM control, and automated takeoff and landing capabilities. These features enable the drone to operate safely within civilian airspace, a critical differentiator from legacy RPAS platforms. The platform complies with NATO STANAG 4671 and UK DEFSTAN 00-970 standards, allowing it to operate within regulated civil environments across the US and European airspace. Designed for versatility, the system can be deployed for various missions, primarily focused on intelligence gathering, threat monitoring, and target identification. Its ability to conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations allows for rapid responses during emergencies. Furthermore, the Protector RG Mk1 is effective for Maritime Patrol, covering both Anti-Submarine and Anti-Surface Warfare, which is crucial for safeguarding maritime security. The drone's Airborne Early Warning and Defensive Counter Air operations capabilities are essential for maintaining air superiority and protecting ground forces, making the RAF the first military force globally to integrate the MQ-9B into full-spectrum service. 'Zuckerberg Wants a Godlike AI': Meta's Race Toward Superintelligence Could Redefine Humanity's Future and Trigger a Tech Power Shift Training and Deployment The UK Protector program is not just about deploying cutting-edge technology; it also involves the establishment of a dedicated training facility at RAF Waddington. This facility houses the NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) elements and simulators managed by 54 Squadron. The first air vehicle was delivered in September 2023, and currently, four aircraft are based in the UK, with six additional units undergoing test and evaluation in the United States. The full operational capability is slated for later in 2025, with all ten air vehicles expected to be operational by that time. The training facility underscores the RAF's commitment to ensuring that its personnel are adequately prepared to operate and maintain these advanced systems. This investment in training is essential to fully realize the potential of the Protector RG Mk1 and sustain its operational readiness. By integrating advanced training protocols, the RAF is ensuring that its personnel are equipped with the necessary skills to maximize the capabilities of this revolutionary drone. 'An Entire Ocean Lies Beneath Us': Scientists Reveal Massive Hidden Sea Deep Below Earth's Crust That Changes Everything Global Implications and Future Prospects The introduction of the Protector RG Mk1 into the RAF's arsenal has significant global implications. As the first military force to adopt the MQ-9B for full-spectrum service, the UK is setting a precedent for other nations to follow. This development highlights the increasing importance of unmanned aerial systems in modern military operations and underscores the need for continued investment in cutting-edge technology. Looking ahead, the Protector RG Mk1 could pave the way for further advancements in unmanned aerial combat, potentially leading to new innovations and capabilities. As nations around the world continue to explore the possibilities of unmanned systems, the RAF's experience with the Protector RG Mk1 will serve as a valuable case study. How will this new era of unmanned combat aviation influence the future of military operations worldwide? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (22)
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
General Atomics touts UK breakthrough in drone airspace integration
COLOGNE, Germany — U.S.-based drone maker General Atomics has achieved a key safety certification from British aviation authorities for the Protector drone, which will allow the unmanned aircraft to fly routinely over civilian areas, the company announced this week. The so-called Military Type Certificate means the Royal Air Force's Protector RG Mk1, which also goes by the designation MQ-9B, has passed a rigorous airworthiness assessment, a General Atomics statement reads. In practice, the drones now have the blessing to operate 'without geographic restrictions, including over populous areas,' the company said. The achievement has been a long time coming for the U.S. drone vendor, which has pitched its drones' ability to fly safely in civilian airspace as a key selling point for its business campaign in Europe. Military drones must normally stay within protected corridors when flying over land, especially in densely populated areas found in many parts of Europe. That is because unmanned aircraft were traditionally designed with military objectives in mind, giving little consideration to fail-safe propulsion or collision avoidance in mid-air, for example. 'This April 29 decision was a first-of-its-kind milestone for a large, unmanned aircraft system,' General Atomics said in the statement, referring to the date the UK Military Aviation Authority passed its judgment. 'It's a huge accomplishment for the UK and a technological watershed in the history of unmanned aircraft systems.' At the heart of the certification lies a NATO standard, dubbed STANAG 4671. The idea is that drone airworthiness achieved to these specifications is transferable across alliance members. Linden Blue, the CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, said the company had spent $500 million over 11 years to have the the MQ-9B certified to the NATO safety standard. Besides the British Royal Air Force, the company said it has MQ-9B orders from Belgium, Canada, Poland, Japan Coast Guard, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan and India.
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
UK Certifies Protector As First of Its Kind Remotely Piloted Aircraft
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / May 8, 2025 / The UK's Military Aviation Authority has issued a Military Type Certificate to the Royal Air Force's Protector RG Mk1 uncrewed aircraft, also designated the MQ-9B, certifying that it has passed a rigorous airworthiness assessment and verifying it's safe to operate without geographic restrictions, including over populous areas. This April 29 decision was a first-of-its-kind milestone for a large, unmanned aircraft system. It's a huge accomplishment for the UK and a technological watershed in the history of unmanned aircraft systems. GA-ASI is the first manufacturer of large, unmanned aircraft to receive an MTC based on rigorous compliance with STANAG 4671, the NATO standard for unmanned aircraft system airworthiness. Obtaining the MTC has been a goal of GA-ASI since the inception of the MQ-9B in January 2014. The company took its proven UAS platform, the MQ-9A, and added performance enhancing features while ensuring that the design was capable of meeting NATO's STANAG 4671 Edition 2 airworthiness requirements. To meet those rigorous requirements, the aircraft incorporates numerous enhancements not found on other large UAS. These include lightning protection, fire protection, anti-icing systems and a fatigue-and-damage-tolerant building block design approach. All flight critical software was designed in compliance with the rigor of Do-178/254. Mission software is rigidly separated from flight critical software. These features not only address the aircraft's airworthiness but also enhance its reliability and operational flexibility to levels unmatched by other UAS. "Earning an MTC for MQ-9B was a herculean effort and a seminal achievement for our company," said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. "We invested over $500 million as part of an 11-year effort to develop an unmanned aircraft that meets NATO's rigorous airworthiness standards. This included three flight test aircraft, full component and system-level environmental testing to Do-160 and Mil-Standards (system level environmental testing at Elgin and Pax River), full scale static test airframe test to ultimate ground and flight loads, bird strike, hail protection and full-scale fatigue testing to three lifetimes (3x 40,000 notional aircraft flight hours = 120,000 hours total). Our engineers developed over 140,000 pages of detailed technical data verifying that the MQ-9B met those demanding requirements. I congratulate our team for this outstanding accomplishment, and I know our customers need this type certification, which will open civil airspace for their flight operations." The Royal Air Force continues to take delivery of new Protector aircraft at their home in the North of England at RAF Waddington. The UK has 10 aircraft of the 16 it has ordered. "Achieving the award of a first in class Military Type Certificate has required years of dedication and perseverance and is a testament to the hard work of all involved. It is a privilege to be the first to be awarded an MTC for the Protector Air System," said Gp. Capt. Neil Venables, Type Airworthiness Authority and holder of the Protector Type Certificate. MQ-9B is the world's most advanced medium altitude, long endurance UAS. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models as well as the Protector operated by the RAF. In addition to the UK, GA-ASI has MQ-9B orders from Belgium, Canada, Poland, Japan Coast Guard, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike. For more information, visit Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. # # # Contact Information GA-ASI Media Relations asi-mediarelations@ 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. press release
