The UK government has recently secured a significant logistics and sustainment agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. This long-term contract is aimed at bolstering the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) fleet of Protector RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). Known as the United Kingdom Protector Availability and Support Solution (UK PASS), this contract will not only facilitate support for the Protector aircraft itself but also for the crucial Certifiable Ground Control Stations and the Synthetic Training Systems essential for the operational use of these unmanned aircraft.
Chris Dusseault, a Vice President at General Atomics responsible for the MQ-9B program in Europe, emphasized the importance of this contract, stating it represents a key milestone in the deployment of the Protector RPA system for the RAF. He noted that with UK PASS now in effect, the program can advance from its current test and development phase to a focus on training RAF flight crews for future operations. This announcement comes ahead of the initial operating capability for the first eight of the sixteen Protector aircraft ordered, which are expected to be operational within this year.
Moreover, the UK PASS contract is part of a larger initiative known as the SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions (SGSS) program, which is designed to support all global MQ-9B customers, including nations such as India and Taiwan. SGSS aims to create efficiencies by pooling resources such as labor, materials, and overhead for maintenance and supply management. This collaborative approach is expected to offer enhanced services while simultaneously lowering costs for all involved parties.
The Protector RG Mk1, derived from the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, is a versatile aircraft capable of executing a diverse range of missions related to Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR). Its operational scope includes electronic warfare, anti-submarine warfare, border enforcement, and search and rescue missions. The aircraft boasts a remarkable endurance of up to 40 hours, flying through satellite communications in varying weather conditions both day and night. With an impressive wingspan of 79 feet (24 meters), the Protector is outfitted with advanced technology, including the Lynx Multi-mode Radar, a sophisticated electro-optical/infrared sensor suite, and capabilities for automatic takeoff and landing.
This strategic partnership and the advancements in the capabilities of the Protector RG Mk1 signify a notable step forward for the UK’s aerial defense and reconnaissance operations, setting the foundation for enhanced operational readiness among RAF personnel.
