Aircraft

In Pictures: Amazing Shots Of RAF's Future Protector Aircraft Flying Over UK

The pre-production example of the UK's Protector aircraft

A pre-production example of the UK's new Protector aircraft has been tested in UK skies as preparation continues for the arrival of the real thing at RAF Waddington.

The UK has ordered 16 Protector aircraft from General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI), all of which will be based at RAF Waddington, the RAF's ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) hub, in Lincolnshire.

Speaking at RAF Waddington, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace praised the flight of the SkyGuardian (which will be known as Protector when it enters RAF service) as a "huge milestone".

Protector can reach heights of 40,000 feet with a payload of up to 4,800lbs (2,177kg).

It has a wingspan of 24m and can hit 210 KTAS (Knots True Airspeed).

the SkyGuardian aircraft preparing before taking off on a sortie from RAF Waddington 08092021 CREDIT MOD — The SkyGuardian aircraft preparing before taking off on a sortie from RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The SkyGuardian aircraft before taking off on a demonstration flight from RAF Waddington during the Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace visit 09092021 CREDIT MOD — The SkyGuardian aircraft before taking off on a demonstration flight from RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

SkyGuardian Protector aircraft over RAF Waddington during a sortie 08092021 CREDIT MOD — The SkyGuardian Protector aircraft over RAF Waddington during a sortie (Picture: MOD).

the SkyGuardian Protector aircraft flying over RAF Waddington during a sortie 08092021 CREDIT MOD — The SkyGuardian Protector aircraft over RAF Waddington during a sortie (Picture: MOD).

SkyGuardian Protector aircraft flying over RAF Waddington during a sortie 08092021 CREDIT MOD — The SkyGuardian Protector aircraft over RAF Waddington during a sortie (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD). — The Protector behind RAF staff at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD). — The Protector grounded at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The SkyGuardian Protector aircraft over RAF Waddington during a sortie (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD). — The Protector taxiing at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

the SkyGuardian aircraft preparing before taking off on a sortie from RAF Waddington 08092021 CREDIT MOD

The SkyGuardian aircraft before taking off on a demonstration flight from RAF Waddington during the Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace visit 09092021 CREDIT MOD

SkyGuardian Protector aircraft over RAF Waddington during a sortie 08092021 CREDIT MOD

the SkyGuardian Protector aircraft flying over RAF Waddington during a sortie 08092021 CREDIT MOD

SkyGuardian Protector aircraft flying over RAF Waddington during a sortie 08092021 CREDIT MOD

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

The SkyGuardian Protector aircraft over RAF Waddington during a sortie (Picture: MOD).

The Protector at RAF Waddington (Picture: MOD).

Cover image: The pre-production example of the UK's Protector aircraft (Picture: MOD).

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