RAF prepares Protector for Operation ‘Shader' combat role

The Protector (pictured) is to shortly take on the Operation ‘Shader' combat role of the Reaper it is replacing. (Crown Copyright)

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is preparing its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B Protector RG1 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to take on combat duties under the auspices of Operation ‘Shader', the service said on 3 September.

With the Protector having only officially entered service on 17 June, the RAF is already planning for it to take over from the incumbent GA-ASI MQ-9A Reaper MALE UAV in the UK's ongoing mission to counter the remnants of the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

“The RAF's latest remotely piloted air system (RPAS), the Protector RG1, has started deployed assurance testing and operator training in preparation for its replacement of Reaper's operational role within Operation ‘Shader'”, the RAF said.

The RAF is in the process of receiving 16 Protector UAVs to replace 10 Reapers that have been in service since 2007 (the Reaper number has fluctuated between nine and 10 over its service, between losses/early airframe retirements and their replacements).

Although the Reaper Force has been based at RAF Waddington in England since 2013 (prior to this, it was based at Creech Air Force Base in the US), the UAVs along with their launch and recovery elements and contractor support have been located in the Middle East. From here, they have provided intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) and strike capabilities against the Islamic State.