MQ-9B to show off its capabilities in UK
The UK will host a series of capability demonstrations of the MQ-9B UAS in SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian configurations for NATO allies including the Netherlands, starting in July 2021.
Manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced on 3 February that the demonstration programme will be supported by the RAF, which is procuring the SkyGuardian (known as Protector in UK service with a range of modifications).
The General Atomics-owned UAS will be configured for maritime missions, including a multi-mode surface-search radar with inverse synthetic aperture radar imaging mode; an AIS receiver; and an HD full-motion video sensor with optical and IR cameras.
RAF Waddington (the future base for the Protector fleet) is expected to host the first event in the demonstration programme, which will culminate with the involvement of the MQ-9B in the UK-led Exercise Joint Warrior (scheduled for 26 September to 8 October) to show how maritime capabilities can be integrated with other air, surface and land platforms.
SkyGuardian flights will develop a detect-and-avoid capability, with a view to allowing Protector to operate in unsegregated UK airspace.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Baykar’s Akıncı UCAV completes live firing trials over the Black Sea
The Turkish company’s advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicle demonstrated its capabilities during successful live firing trials.
-
Iranian UAV threat leaves Israel’s defence industry searching for answers
Iran has continued to invest heavily in its drone-building capacity, supplying Russia and Iranian proxies throughout the Middle East, leading defence experts in Israel to call for more defensive solutions be developed to deter the threat from UAVs.
-
Emgepron and Tidewise team up to develop first ‘made-in-Brazil’ USV
Brazil's Emgepron and Tidewise have partnered to construct the Suppressor unmanned surface vessel by 2025 amid potential interest from the Brazilian Navy.
-
Autonomous navigation drives UUVs proliferation in the Indo-Pacific
The US Department of Defence has teamed up with Anduril Industries to develop advanced AI-driven long-range uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs), countering China’s escalating UUV advancements.