The Royal Air Force (RAF) has reached a key milestone in the Protector RG Mk1 Program after successfully completing the first flight of the combat drone through the United Kingdom’s controlled airspace. The takeoff was carried out from RAF Waddington base, in Lincoln, bound for RAF Marham base, in Norfolk, covering an approximate distance of 90 kilometers.
The Protector RG Mk1, the British version of the General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian, is designed to modernize the RAF’s intelligence, surveillance, and strike capabilities. Its development was announced in 2015 by then Prime Minister David Cameron, with the aim of replacing the MQ-9 Reaper fleet, whose limitations in autonomy and compatibility with civil airspace made a more advanced solution necessary. Since then, the program has progressed through three phases, culminating in the latest tests and evaluations while simultaneously preparing for its future and upcoming entry into service.
The recent flight between Waddington and Marham not only demonstrated the system’s ability to operate in controlled airspace but also allowed procedures to be established for diverting the drone to alternate airfields. This operation required close coordination with the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), Military Air Traffic Control at Swanwick, and the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority. The effort involved 56 Squadron, the ISTAR Air Wing, and the Marham Operations Wing, which provided technical and logistical support.
In this regard, the Officer Commanding 56 Squadron highlighted the importance of the flight: “Ensuring operations en route to RAF Marham is a crucial step that increases flexibility for both testing and training. This achievement was made possible thanks to the joint work of 56 Squadron, the ISTAR Wing, 31 Squadron, and the Waddington and Marham bases.”
For his part, Wing Commander Williamson, Officer Commanding the Operations Wing at RAF Marham, emphasized the strategic advance: “The ability to receive, refuel, and rearm the Protector outside its main base represents a qualitative leap for the RAF. This success reflects the outstanding effort of our personnel.”
Once operational, the Protector will offer long-endurance surveillance capability (more than 40 hours of autonomy) and precision strike, with global deployment capacity and minimal on-site support. Remotely operated from RAF Waddington —which also hosts its training center—, the system can reach altitudes of up to 40,000 feet and is prepared for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and strike missions in complex environments.
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