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Unmanned Systems

Protector Drone Achieves First Flight, As General Atomics Looks for RAF Delivery Next Summer

Frank Wolfe

Monday, September 28th, 2020

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Protector Drone Achieves First Flight, As General Atomics Looks for RAF Delivery Next Summer

The RG Mk1 Protector for the Royal Air Force is a customized version of the MQ-9B (General Atomics Photo)

The General Atomics' RG Mk1 Protector drone, the fourth MQ-9B SkyGuardian air vehicle, achieved first flight on Sept. 25, the company said, as it awaits system testing of the drone by a U.K. Ministry of Defense, U.S. Air Force, General Atomics' team in expectation of delivery to the Royal Air Force (RAF) next summer. Labeled UK1, the first Protector drone has "a special customer specified configuration" for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), per General Atomics. General Atomics said…

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]

Congress

Counter-Drone Flyaway Kit Used In U.S. In Early Hours Of Iran Strikes, NORTHCOM Head Says

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) used a counter small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) flyaway kit (FAK) in the early hours of the strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, according to Air […]

Army

Army Taking ‘More Refined’ Approach On Push For Right To Repair Reforms, Obadal Says

After lawmakers decided against including major “right to repair” reforms in the latest defense policy bill, a senior Army official has said the service is continuing its push for authorities […]

Unmanned Systems

Counter-Drone Needs Will Be Addressed In Next NDAA Based On Iran War Lessons, Banks Says

A Republican senator on Armed Services Committee on Thursday said that defending against Iranian drones has been challenge for U.S. warfighters and will be an area of focus in the […]