Decision to delay UK's MQ-9B Protector programme cost £186 million
An MQ-9B SkyGuardian, known in the UK as Protector, pictured at RAF Waddington. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
The Ministry of Defence's decision to delay the MQ-9B Protector programme by two years has cost the country £186 million, with total projected whole-life costs now at over £1.7 billion.
A decision by the UK MoD to delay the MQ-9B Protector remotely piloted air system (RPAS) by two years has added £186.8 million ($226.51 million) to the bill.
Overall, the programme's cost has increased by £325.6 million, enough to buy three F-35B fighter jets.
The increase is equivalent to roughly the cost of eight MQ-9Bs, based on Shephard Defence Insight's estimated flyaway unit cost of $37.8 million per RPAS. However, this does not factor in through-life and sustainment costs.
Additional costs feeding into the £325.6 million increase are £64.6 million to change the primary sensor on the aircraft to avoid
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
- Free magazine subscription to all our titles
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
- 10-year news archive access
- Downloadable equipment data handbooks
- Distribution rights (Corporate only)
More from Air Warfare
-
![South Korea finalises CH-47F Chinook acquisition]()
South Korea finalises CH-47F Chinook acquisition
South Korea is replacing older CH-47D Chinooks with the latest version of Boeing's heavy-lift helicopter.
-
![Canada eyes up P-8A Poseidon to replace Aurora fleet]()
Canada eyes up P-8A Poseidon to replace Aurora fleet
Canada has submitted a request to purchase P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft to replace CP-140 Auroras but a final decision has not yet been made.
-
![Australia receives an additional Growler and considers BBJ replacement]()
Australia receives an additional Growler and considers BBJ replacement
The RAAF has returned its Growler fleet to full strength, plus replacements are also needed for two 737 BBJ aircraft used for VVIP transportation.
-
![Bell makes move on FLRAA test lab construction despite ongoing Defiant protest]()
Bell makes move on FLRAA test lab construction despite ongoing Defiant protest
Bell Textron began laying the foundations for a new testing facility for its V-280 Valor helicopter despite protest over its US Army Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) contract win.
