First RAF Protector handed over
On 6 October 2022, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) handed over the first Protector RG1 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to the Royal Air Force (RAF) after completion of the Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP).
The Protector RG1, serial PR005, was accepted at the GA-ASI facilty at El Mirage (CA) by Air Vice Marshal Simon Ellard, Director Combat Air at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence.
The Protector is a specially configured model of MQ-9B, for which the RAF is the launch customer, designed to meet the unique requirements of the RAF.
The aircraft remains in the USA to participate in the initial training programme for the RAF. First delivery to the RAF in the UK is planned for 2023. The Protector will be based at RAF Waddington.
Photo via General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.