How the MQ-9B’s interoperability is driving future market success
On 8 May 2025, GA-ASI announced that the UK’s Military Aviation Authority had issued a Military Type Certificate to the RAF’s Protector RG Mk1 uncrewed aircraft (Photo: GA-ASI)
With numerous nations, including the UK, committing a combined US$9.99 billion to acquiring the MQ-9B MALE UAV according to Shephard Defence Insight data, the capability now looks set to soar as UAV spending rises globally.
The success of the MQ-9B can be largely put down to the promise of cooperation with allied operators, with the uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)’s interoperability being a pivotal factor in securing a further forecasted $19.65 billion in spending internationally. A large proportion of this could come from customers in the maritime domain.
The UK began a procurement programme ten years ago to replace the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Reaper with the new and improved MQ-9B SkyGuardian. Today, the Royal Air Force (RAF) has 16 of the aircraft on order, which it designates as the Protector RG1, with four of
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