Page 19 - issue19.04.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 19, 2019 P18 Royal Air Force News Friday, April 19, 2019 P19

Feature Airpower

PROTECTOR GOES GLOBAL

RAF’s new remotely-piloted

aircraft will be capable of

flying anywhere in the world

ROUNDBREAKING work to give first aircraft of its type to be major landmark by undergoing its first Protector to fly in much of the civilian- We’ve had
the RAF’S new remotely-piloted able to taxi over a satellite link. full flight using a new bespoke Certifiable class airspace around the world. “
Gair system global reach is being Sqn Ldr Laidlaw said: “The Ground Control Station. The technology Combined Test Team chief Wg Cdr to take the
conducted in a remote part of Arizona. first aircraft was the baseline enables a three-person crew of pilot, Iain Hutchinson (left) said: “We’re working old cockpit
Air Force personnel are cooperating shape of the Protector. The sensor operator and mission intelligence together to generate evidence to show
closely with their US counterparts and second aircraft brings some coordinator to operate Protector from the that the Protector aircraft provides the and change it
manufacturer General Atomics to enable newer elements ground using touch screens even though capabilities the RAF requires and, more completely so
the Protector to fly anywhere in the world. which the RAF the aircraft itself may be thousands importantly, is safe to operate in all the
And they are equipping the aircraft Protector will of miles away, being controlled via environments in which we want to use it. we can certify it
with British Paveway IV and Brimstone 3 have, mainly an a satellite link. “It’s quite early days in the test to civil aviation
missiles, advanced sensors and intelligence- anti-icing system Sqn Ldr Laidlaw said: “We’ve programme but the benefit of the RAF
gathering capabilities. and lightning had to take the old cockpit being involved at this early stage is we standards. This
Protector pilot Sqn Ldr Ben Laidlaw protection. and change it completely, have influence over the design and will allow us
said: “Protector is a step change from “The test so we can certify it to civil development of the aircraft and the systems
Reaper as it will bring the ability for us programme is aviation standards. The that support it.” to integrate in
to be integrated into the national airspace going very well, new cockpit will allow With longer endurance, better load civilian airspace
system within both the UK and Europe. and we will have the aircraft to integrate carrying capability for weapons and
“We’re certifying the whole aircraft so a four test aircraft in civilian airspace along improved sensors, Protector is regarded as along with all
Military Aviation Authority certificate can before the first UK with all sorts of manned a significant leap in capability from Reaper. sorts of manned
be issued allowing flight in UK airspace.” production Protector.” aircraft.” Training of frontline RAF crews will
The Combined Test Team are testing The team will also play a key begin in the early 2020s in the USA initially, aircraft
two prototypes to enable Protector to take arlier this year the role in the integration of detect- in advance of the type’s entry into Service PILOT: Sqn Ldr ”
off and land automatically and become the Eaircraft achieved a and-avoid technology to enable at RAF Waddington with 31 Squadron. Ben Laidlaw Sqn Ldr Laidlaw

THREE STAR:
Air Mshl Sue Gray