The Royal Air Force has welcomed the first of its 16 new Protector aircraft at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.
This state-of-the-art Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) equips the RAF with enhanced surveillance capabilities.
Outfitted with a comprehensive array of surveillance tools, the Protector can fly up to 40,000 feet and boasts an endurance exceeding 30 hours. The aircraft is piloted remotely from RAF Waddington itself.
Having arrived last month, 31 Squadron is currently assembling the aircraft, gearing it up for both ground and air testing.
This comes in anticipation of its expected In-Service debut sometime in 2024.
James Cartlidge, Minister for Defence Procurement, was quoted in the press release saying, “The UK’s world-class Protector will emphasise our ultra-modern surveillance and intelligence capabilities, ready to deploy against potential adversaries around the globe. With the first aircraft at RAF Waddington ready to begin trials, we will once again demonstrate we are spearheading military defence technology.”
Hi folks hope all is well.
Are these aircraft designed to also carry a payload of missiles and other forms of weapons? Also no doubt they will be used with the carriers.
Cheers,
George
Yes, they will carry paveway IV and Brimstone. I think it’s vital we get a decent radar on these and use them on the carriers for AEW. General Atomics claims it already has such a version. Putting these on the QE class to provide AEW and long range ASW is a real game changer for the Queen Elizabeth Class and will instantly give it capability that even a Nimitz class can’t match. Would be a massive vindication of the STOVL configuration.
Morning all. I could be way off, but I believe I read somewhere that this is the first of a batch of nine, to be delivered to RAF Waddington. However, delivery of the next eight will be held up, due to delays in the building of Protector infrastructure at Waddington. I’ll hold up my hands, if I’m on the wrong track…
“will instantly give it capability that even a Nimitz class can’t match” Are you sure about that? This kind of platform is very useful for keeping an eye on things but the size of its radar array is quite small…..and the power it will be able to deploy for active radar isn’t that high. Whilst I totally agree that it is more than useful to have a radar bird up and and able to have a look with other sensors too this is not an E7 or P8 level platform. But it would still be more than useful for a… Read more »
Yes I’m sure, Protector has a service ceiling of 60,000ft verses E2 at about 30,000 feet. When it comes to AEW height is almost everything. Nothing on a Nimitz can put a radar that high for that long. Clearly radar power is also important however Radars are getting more compact and more power efficient all the time. In addition looking at ASW nothing on a Nimitz can do ASW patrol at the distance and with the endurance of a Protector. You back up Protector with F35B able to do its own AEW as part of a network and Merlin able… Read more »
This blog could do with a protracted period of silence from you
Who let the Trolls out woof woof woof,
This post has to be parody.
I am going to pick you up on the AEW element. As you quite rightly state, height is key. But it is with the caveat that the radar’s operating frequency and effective radiated power (ERP) are also key requirements. At most a Protector type of drone will be able to carry a decent X-band radar, in the same class as the Crowsnest’s Searchwater 2000. Which has a published detection range of around 200 miles. Though the target’s radar cross section is not specified. So a a typical fighter sized target of 1m2 may only be detected at shorter ranger. The… Read more »
30,000 feet will give you a radar detection horizon of around 230miles for something at 100meters above sea level and 60,000feet will give you a detection range of around 320 miles if you look at the Merlin it’s around 170miles detection range at ceiling. What really counts for AEW is loiter time….although power is important as is the ability lug around the required capacitors and transformers…as well as the size of the transmitter…(power aperture .product) that is what will limit these smaller autonomous units..as to get a high power aperture product you are lugging a lot of weight…as an example… Read more »
If we end up picking up the Mojave version that is due to be tested on PoW this deployment then in terms of unsupported aircraft endurance he may technically be correct. However since the US has organic A2A refueling capability they would be able to keep their ISR aircraft aloft for a decent amount of time. Crew endurance would most likely be the limiting factor. Either way it is a tool that really needs to be in our carrier strike tool bag. Eight of these supporting the F-35Bs and possibly even picking up targeting data directly from the F-35Bs could… Read more »
https://electronics.leonardo.com/documents/16277707/18422005/Seaspray+7500E+V2+HQ+%28mm09072%29.pdf?t=1693492257401
That is the Radar already trialled out on MQ9 that now comes with Air Surveillance Mode that can track surface and air targets.
If it can provide persistent AEW while crowsnest and F35B can provide AWACS then the RN will have an amazing capability beyond almost anything in the air today.
Indeed this is the type of distributed AEW/AWACS system of systems the USAF has been trying to build to replace E3.
As I’ve said many times on here a multi sensor approach fused is the way forward.
You can’t fool all of the sensors all of the time etc.
So this could be a component of such a system.
A high flying eye and relay point as well. As well as being a bomb/missile truck if needs be.
Others may correct me here but I believe a naval-ised version of this UAV was/is-to-be to be trialed on PoW while over in the US. It has shortened but deeper wings for carrier operation. The intention with this naval-ised design is to do what Predator does at the moment and maybe, if configured with the underslung ‘maritime-pod’, some maritime anti-surface function also. I don’t think the current design would handle the weight and power requirement premiums an AEW RADAR would demand. It would need a complete redesign.
Seaspray 7500 AESA radar has already been trialled and now comes with Air Intercept tracking mode.
Obviously that is not going to be as capable as a larger radar however at twice the height it may give significant additional early warning vs an E2 for low flying targets.
Definitely a capability worth having.
Hi Jim, is the Seaspray 7500 you refer to the system already in the Sea Guardian? I’m thinking fancifully here but, swap-out the cab at the front for a pull-engine, fill the enlarged wings with fuel tanks, trade-off weapons for a fuselage bay for a higher powered RADAR or interchangeable fuel tank (for AAR) …. Bob’s your uncle! There’ll obviously be more to this than my thinking but I’m sure GA are exploring all options and looking at weight v lift v endurance trade-offs. Let’s hope the Mojave trials are successful.
It’s not twice the height. It’s stated maximum altitude is 40,000 ft. The maximum altitude for the E-2D is 38,000 ft. I’m as happy about this additional capability as much as anybody else but It’s amusing that you would try to compare a significantly larger E-2D, basically a sea based awacs equipped with a modern high powered AESA radar operating in the UHF range reportedly able to detect even fighter size stealth aircraft. Like the awacs it also does battle management and is a key node in the USN CEC implementation, able to detect and guide missiles fired from other… Read more »
Your service ceiling figures are wrong, where you getting them from?
If you read what I wrote, I’m not saying a MQ 9 is superior to an E2. I’m saying a distributed system of systems that includes a MALE AEW is superior to a single mission awacs aircraft,
The USAF agrees.
The usaf is replacing its E3s with the E7 wedge tail.
@lisa west @ George Allison
this guy needs to be banned. Some form of Russian Troll I think. Keeps following me through threads and making stuff up.
I’m not aware of any plans to use these 16 on the carriers. They replace the Reaper capability that is in use in the Middle East, but can also support UK based P8 ops.
The RN will trial the Mojave with Prince of Wales in its trials off the US. So I’d think if the FAA fancy it and money is available there would be an additional small buy for the QEC.
Hi Daniele, I might be wrong but was there not a conversion kit for the SeaGuardian that would swap out wings for folding wings, V tail, prop and some other bits for carrier operations. All could be done withing a day. The body, sensors etc would be the same. Or at least that was the idea. If this is still being developed it could be a better solution for the RAF and FAA as they could have a pool of bodies with wings props etc being dedicated to each force. Anyhow, I really would like to see a Mojave type… Read more »
Hi Ron
You may well be right, that details beyond me.
Agree on a Mojave Sqn.
Hi D -It does present an interesting question though. Might the FAA find budget for a carrier based variant in the coming years? Plenty of deck spaces on those QE carriers. Fingers crossed
Hi mate. I doubt it, sadly. But we live in hope.
There will be a conversion kit, currently under development, for the MQ-9B. The new wing kit will allow for a much shorter take off and landing runway and the new configuration is being called MQ-9B STOL. Mojave is a STOL between half and two thirds the size of the RAF’s MQ-9B Protector. It’s seen as a stepping stone to the MQ-9B STOL, that larger aircraft being advertised as being able to lift as much as in the standard configuration. This claim has yet to be tested, the kits still being in development. Mojave trials should prove the concept up to… Read more »
On top of all this, I thought there’s a jet powered version of a similar type around in the works called the “Avenger”? Having a greater speed might help reduce vulnerability and get to station more quickly. Did the UK ever consider getting the larger Triton UAV or was that just for NATO?
Didn’t hear about us going for Triton. Sea Avenger (MQ-20) was aimed at CATOBAR carriers and as the USN changed its mind, I think it was ditched in favour of MQ-25 Stingray.
It might be worth the UK revisiting the Sea Avenger concept to see if that could also get the STOL makeover. It was closer to the UK needs for a loyal wingman. It didn’t seem to go down too well in US trials though.
Thanks for all the background info Jon. There’s sure is a lot going on in this area at the moment!
Are the runways on our Carrier’s long enough for the Predator?
Yes, it can even stop without arrestor gear. One of the massive advantages of STOVL carrier, big long runway moving forward at 25knts with a ramp at the front.
Nice piece of kit, is 16 all? Or are we getting more at some point?
Oh yes another 15 to come, brilliant.
Where did you read that? We are getting 16.
Where it says ‘ click here to read more’, it mentions the phased arrival of another 15.
No sorry I’ve got it wrong, those 15 are the following ones from the 16, should have known 🙄🙄
Ha ha, wishful thinking but I like it 👍🏻
You’d think we will need more if they are to serve on the carriers.
😆 Yes mate, this is the first of THE 16.
These are not for the carriers, but I’d hope an additional order of Mojave for the FAA might be.
These do have a maritime package available, so they could assist the 9 P8s.
However, they replace the rest of the Reaper force, which has an Overwatch and SIGINT role flying from certain places in the Middle East. The aircraft themselves have never been UK based, only the ground control element.
So how many will be available for maritime at Waddo I’m uncertain.
I did think 31 protectors seemed alot, but actually yes I must admit I forgot about Mojave, that would be a better option for the carriers, fingers crossed we get some, a quick look on wiki say’s it’s a very capable UAV.
‘Waddo’??? I have never heard it called that before!
Have you not? Well you have now! 😆
Yep, was commonly called ‘Waddo’ when I was there 30 years ago!
Been through the place a few times many years ago. Never, ever heard it referred to as ‘Waddo’. A few other things but never that.
It was always Waddo .
The launderette was Waddo wash
Hi Daniele, I’m excited by the various MQ-9 concepts but I’d like to see how far GA can stretch its capabilities before we commit to an order. Just thinking of the various requirements the FAA effectively have, what with an AAR to extend F35B range, AEW replacement for Merlin, Mojave variant of Sea Guardian (surface search/anti-ship and SAR) and, indeed a carrier based variant of Protector should the need arise if we’re operating QE further afield than the middle east. The latter 2 roles would certainly compliment any F35 deployment.
Hi DP.
Thank you. Sorry for the late reply, very stressful time of my life at the mo did not get round to this.
No problem DM, always appreciate your posts, mature, informative and pragmatic.
Well I went through the place several times but that was many years ago. Never, ever heard it referred to as ‘Waddo’.
I’ve never been in the RAF ( though I did go for the RauxAF once ) so I have picked that up somewhere…not sure where! Only that I have heard it.
e have options on another 8 – ie 24 in total
Good, it’s a great capability, the more the merrier, as Rob w says, they’d be very useful for our carriers.
probably end up as attrition replacements with time,
Maybe the shrewd option here would be to convert those 8 into a Mojave order for the FAA, should that variant prove its concept and worth? Given the way things are, I’m not expecting the MOD to take them as a further Protector order AND buy a variant of Mojave; asking alot/too much I reckon.
Who owns and operates the satellites the drone communicates through? Are they American or British?
The UK has Skynet, being upgraded to Skynet 6, and also has access to NATO satellites.
Whether the Reaper, Protector force use those or US Sats I’m unsure. As our Reaper and USAF Reaper ops are closely coordinated, especially on the intell side, we might well use US ones as well as our own.
So I picked up the Nov Issue of Air Forces monthly and on United Kingdom News The Middle and second story is the headline:
RAF Protector delayed again
A £1.347Bn project to refresh the RAFs unmanned aerial vehicle fleet has been delayed yet again after the building of a dedicated operating campus at RAF Waddington Lincs was hit by rising construction costs.
The General Atomics Protector UAV is not due to achieve initial operating capability until 2025 at the earliest putting the flagship programme more than 5 years behind schedule. The squadron that is.
Thanks, Farouk, you answered my query to Jim (above). I also read it in AFM.
And all this brought to you from our sponsors, RAF Carriers, ta da! 👏 🛫😂😄🙃
We saw this being towed out at RAF Waddington. Think one of the first times seen in public
https://youtu.be/_Hq-iMRjDcY
Really good to see. Looks small until 01.24 and you see the wingspan.
Do you know if the future Ops area includes the old Sentry superhanger? Wondering what else they’d do with that now the AEW side is moving.
At the moment the Sentry hanger is being used by the Red Arrows.
Why do MoD refuse to develop sovereign capability? Taranis, Mantis etc etc? I know General Atomics has good weather. But we are exiting sector after sector of critical defence technologies. We are being left behind and will be out of the reckoning entirely soon. Apart from destroying export opportunities. Everything we operate will be ITAR protected and we effectively then have to do whatever the US tells us. Total US hegemony