Members of the Royal Air Force have begun training in the use of new unmanned aerial vehicles.
What is known
The first group of operators started training on May 12023 at the Flight Test and Training Center (FTTC) in Grand Forks, New Jersey. The center is owned by GA-ASI, which is a drone manufacturer.
</ img>
The program focuses onbasic skills required to operate the Protector RG Mk1 drone and equipment, including a multispectral targeting system, a reconnaissance station and a real-time tasking system. After training, the crews will have a good foundation to operate the drones in normal and emergency situations.
</ img>
The Protector RG Mk1 was the replacement for the MQ-9 Reaper.It is an upgraded version of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone. The modification took place in accordance with the unique requirements of the Royal Air Force of Great Britain.
The SkyGuardian itself is based on the MQ-9A Reaper.The GA-ASI press release says the drone has attracted significant interest from customers around the world. In particular, after Great Britain the contract was signed by Belgium.
</ img>
The SeaGuardian modification is in service with the Japanese Coast Guard. In addition, the US Air Force became the first US customer for the MQ-9B SkyGeardian, ordering three drones.
Returning to the UK, we note that the United Kingdom ordered the production of 16 MQ-9B drones with upgrades to the Protector RG Mk1. The contract value was almost $2 billion.