UK Certifies Protector as the First of Its Kind Remotely Piloted Aircraft
The UK’s Military Aviation Authority has awarded a Military Type Certificate (MTC) to the Royal Air Force’s Protector RG Mk1 unmanned aircraft, designated as the MQ-9B. This certification signifies that the aircraft has successfully undergone an extensive airworthiness evaluation, establishing its safety for operation without geographic limitations, even over densely populated regions. This groundbreaking decision, made on April 29, marks a significant milestone for large unmanned aircraft systems and underscores the UK’s advancements in drone technology.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has become the first manufacturer to achieve such certification by adhering to STANAG 4671, NATO’s standard concerning the airworthiness of unmanned aircraft systems. This accomplishment had been a long-standing goal for GA-ASI since the introduction of the MQ-9B in January 2014, integrating enhanced features with NATO compliance in mind.
Key improvements in the MQ-9B include advanced lightning protection, fire safety measures, anti-icing systems, and a design approach focused on fatigue and damage tolerance. Additionally, all critical flight software has been developed in alignment with stringent standards (Do-178/254), ensuring a robust separation between mission and flight-critical software. Such attributes elevate the aircraft’s reliability and operational adaptability above that of similar systems.
“Securing an MTC for the MQ-9B was a monumental effort and an exemplary achievement for our team,” stated GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “We have dedicated over $500 million over 11 years to create an unmanned system that meets NATO’s strict airworthiness criteria, which included extensive flight testing and environmental assessments. With this certification, our customers will benefit from expanded civil airspace access for their operations.”
The UK is currently receiving its delivery of Protector aircraft at RAF Waddington in the North, with a total of 16 units ordered, of which 10 have been delivered.
Gp. Capt. Neil Venables, Type Airworthiness Authority, expressed pride in the dedication required to achieve this historic certification, emphasizing the collective effort over the years.
As the world’s most sophisticated medium altitude, long endurance unmanned aircraft, the MQ-9B encompasses the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models and is now operational under the RAF’s oversight.
Beyond the UK, GA-ASI has additional MQ-9B contracts with Belgium, Canada, Poland, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force, supporting various operations, including naval exercises such as Northern Edge and RIMPAC.
Learn more about the latest advancements in drone technology and their implications for military and civil aviation.
