‘Game-changing’ drones offer RAF a global reach
Deadly Protector aircraft can be flown remotely to anywhere in the world by pilots sitting in a UK base
THE RAF’S new drone has been unveiled for the first time to the crews that will fly it.
The Protector armed surveillance drones will be able to fly for up to 40 hours, more than twice the time of the current Reaper aircraft, and strike terrorists with precision missiles and laser-guided bombs. “Game-changing technology” means that the Protector Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) is capable of taxiing, taking off and land- ing anywhere in the world controlled via satellite link from a remote base.
With anti-icing and lightning protection, it will be able to conduct missions in adverse weather conditions.
RAF pilots will be able to attack targets anywhere in the world from their base in Waddington, Lincs.
Until now, drones needed ground control stations at the airbases they flew from and landed at, and were not certified to fly in regulated airspace alongside civilian air traffic. The MOD said that the first Protector flew from Yuma, in Arizona, to Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, from where the RAF’S 39 Squadron has been flying missions in Afghanistan and elsewhere since 2007 using Reaper drones.
RAF personnel from 39 and 54 Squadrons gathered at the base for their first opportunity to see the aircraft they will soon be operating.
Air Vice-marshal Harvey Smyth, commander of the RAF’S intelligence and surveillance forces, said: “When we talk about next generation Air Force one of the capabilities that we’re delivering is Protector.
“This idea that we’ll have an RPAS that can operate anywhere at any time in controlled airspace alongside airliners is an absolutely game-changing capability.”
Built by US firm General Atomics and due to enter service in 2024, it will be operated by a pilot, sensor operator and a mission intelligence coordinator.
It will carry up to 18 Brimstone missiles, which have been used to attack moving targets such as armoured vehicles, as well as Paveway IV laser-guided bombs.
The 38ft-long aircraft has a 50 per cent payload increase over Reapers.
Britain is buying 16 Protectors, with a possible 10 to follow. Like Reaper, they will be flown by 13 Squadron from RAF Waddington and 39 Squadron from Creech Air Force Base. Wg Cdr Colin Welsh, the officer commanding 39 Squadron, said: “It takes everything that’s great about Reaper and adds a whole bundle of capabilities.”
Tim Ripley, of Jane’s Defence Weekly, said the RAF was breaking new ground in RPAS technology.
“It offers a truly global power projection capability,” he said. “Not even the US have the ability to take-off and land drones controlled via satellite from another ground station.”
An RAF spokesman said: “UK RPAS aircraft are controlled by highly trained RAF pilots who adhere strictly to the same laws of armed conflict and rules of engagement as traditionally manned RAF aircraft.”