Royal Air Force begins training on new Protector remotely piloted aircraft system
The Protector training includes simulation and live flight of the aircraft. (Photo: UK MoD/ Crown Copyright)
The Royal Air Force has started training its first cohort of pilots, sensor operators and mission intelligence coordinators on operating its new Protector at General Atomics' Flight Test & Training Centre in the US.
The RAF has begun training its first cohort of pilots, sensor operators and mission intelligence coordinators on operating its new Protector Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) at the Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
The FTTC is owned and operated by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), which has begun deliveries of Protector RPAS to the RAF.
Protector is a derivative of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian and is initially being flown in the US for training.
GA-ASI is training the first four Operational Conversion Units (OCU), each comprising eight crews, including pilots, sensor operators (SO) and mission
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?]()
What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?
Changing roles for combat aircraft fleets, the rise of simulation and LVC technologies, and the increasing cost of flight hours could all be leading to a paradigm shift in military pilot training.
-
![2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate]()
2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate
This year’s (geo)political turmoil has challenged many long-prevailing assumptions, leading to far-reaching consequences for air forces and their supplier bases in industry worldwide – with five key trends in review for 2025.
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg]()
Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg
As Europe ramps up defence investment in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the spotlight is turning to how nations sustain their growing fleets.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
