UK Air Force deploys first-ever combat drone with 5,750-mile range

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has officially inducted the Protector RG Mk1 drone, marking the UK's first Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) certified to operate across all classes of domestic airspace. This new platform replaces the older MQ-9A Reaper with the more advanced MQ-9B SkyGuardian, offering enhanced endurance, intelligence gathering, and precision strike capabilities. The Protector can operate for over 30 hours at altitudes up to 40,000 feet and has a range exceeding 5,750 miles, enabling it to patrol entire continents without landing. It carries advanced weaponry, including 500lb Paveway IV laser-guided bombs and Brimstone 3 missiles, and integrates sophisticated sensors such as the Lynx Multi-mode Radar and electro-optical/infrared suites. The drone’s certification for safe operation within civilian airspace, enabled by GA-ASI’s Detect and Avoid System, represents a significant advancement over legacy platforms, allowing it to operate in