Protector RG1 UAV has officially entered RAF service

The Protector RG Mk1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has officially entered operational service, the Royal Air Force (RAF) announced on 16 June 2025.

The programme milestone was reached following extensive trials led by the RAF’s 56 Test and Evaluation Squadron, with 31 Squadron providing engineering and support services. The RAF noted in a 12 May 2025 press release that a Protector had completed a flight from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire to RAF Marham in Norfolk, flying through UK airspace as it did so.

The Protector RG1, which has a wingspan of 24 m, an endurance of more than 30 hours and can be armed with 500 lb (227 kg) Paveway IV laser-guided bombs and Brimstone 3 missiles, is based on the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAV.

The UK Military Aviation Authority issued the Protector RG1’s Military Type Certificate (MTC), allowing it to operate without geographic restrictions in UK airspace, on 29 April 2025.

Further testing of the Protector platform will be completed over the summer of 2025 prior to the RAF’s planned transition from its current GA-ASI MQ-9 Reaper platform to the Protector later in 2025. The RAF has a 10-strong Reaper fleet, but is procuring a total of 16 Protectors, of which 10 have been delivered so far (four are in the UK; six are being used for test and evaluation in the United States).

“The Protector programme will deliver a cutting-edge RPAS [remotely piloted air system] for the UK, replacing the current Reaper capability, and will be the first remotely piloted aircraft of this type capable of flying in the UK in all classes of airspace,” the RAF stated. “Protector introduces a unique and long-endurance capability to UK Defence, specialising in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance as well as strike operations. When operational, this advanced system can be deployed globally with minimal on-site support, making it highly versatile for various missions.”

The RAF’s Protector fleet will be based out of RAF Waddington, with 31 Squadron being the first Protector-equipped unit there. RAF Waddington is also home to the UK’s Protector Training Facility, housing elements of the UK NATO Flight Training Europe facility and managed by 54 Squadron.

The first Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS) and simulators have already been delivered and installed at RAF Waddington. The first Protector air vehicle was delivered in Sep 2023, while the whole 16-strong Protector fleet is scheduled to have been delivered by the end of 2025.

The UK Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, was quoted as saying in an RAF press release, “I welcome our newest aircraft into service with the Royal Air Force. I am delighted that the RAF’s Protector has reached this significant and historic milestone on its journey to conducting operations. Getting to this stage has been a whole force effort, working closely with our industry partners. I would like to thank all those who have been involved in the programme, and I know they will continue to work tirelessly towards achieving full operating capability.”