Protector set to arrive in UK next month
The UK Royal Air Force’s incoming Protector RG Mk.1 UAS is expected to make an appearance at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, with the aircraft set to arrive in the UK on 11 July.
The UAS will fly non-stop from North Dakota in the US to reach the UK, where it will land at RAF Fairford.
Set to enter service in the early 2020s, Protector has been designed, built and certified by GA-ASI against stringent NATO and UK Safety Certification standards equivalent to manned aircraft.
Protector RG Mk.1 will replace the RAF’s Reaper fleet with enhanced armed surveillance abilities, including extended range, increased payload and planned integration of UK weapons. The UAS will support a range of homeland defence tasks, including global ISTAR, search and rescue, disaster monitoring or flood prevention activities.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
