RAF base to be hub for allies’ Protector drone training
The RAF’S new Protector drone has been hailed as an “incredibly important tool” against terrorism by the Defence Secretary.
Announcing a £94million investment to make RAF Waddington, Lincs, a hub for allies to train with the new drone, Ben Wallace said Protector was not “a silver bullet to deal with terrorism, but it’s one of the tools in the box.”
The new drone, 16 of which are due in service by mid-2024, will be able to fly in civilian airspace so they can operate from the UK for the first time.
Fitted with advanced sensors and weapons, Protector will be able to fly combat missions as well as supporting local authorities for tasks such as search and rescue and environmental inspections, for example after major flooding.
Home Secretary Priti Patel told The Daily Telegraph recently that she hoped Protector would be able to fly over the English Channel monitoring crossings of illegal migrants in small boats.
Belgium and Australia will be the first nations to have air forces trained at the new centre in RAF Waddington.
Around 30 other countries have expressed interest in buying Protector. New technology will allow it to taxi, take off and land anywhere in the world via satellite link. With special anti-icing and lightning protection, the aircraft will be able to conduct missions in adverse weather conditions.
Up until now, drones have needed ground control stations at the airbase they fly from and land at, and have not been certified to fly in regulated airspace alongside civilian air traffic.