RAF opens international MQ-9B training centre

One of 16 Protectors that the RAF is receiving into RAF Waddington. The service has now opened at the same site an international training centre for the MQ-9B that underpins the Protector. (Crown Copyright)

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has opened its new Protector International Training Centre (ITC) for itself and allied operators of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

Announced by the service on 7 July, the milestone sees 54 Squadron (Sqn) – the Advanced Air Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Academy – launch operations of the ITC in the Oxspring Building at RAF Waddington in the north of England.

“The building, which houses ground control stations, simulators, and training areas for Protector – the first remotely piloted aircraft capable of flying in UK airspace, as well as [an] element of NATO's Flight Training Europe (NFTE) Campus – is dedicated to the memory of Group Captain Bobby Oxspring, who amongst other many achievements was the first to lead a flight of RAF jet aircraft across the Atlantic in 1949,” the RAF said, adding, “The buildings facilities include the live and synthetic training systems and training areas for the RAF's Protector RG1.”