UK grants MQ-9B Protector a Military Type Certificate, a first for a large uncrewed aircraft

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems/MQ-9B SkyGuardian / SeaGuardian

The UK Military Aviation Authority certified the Royal Air Force's Protector RG Mk1, its name for the MQ-9B, as safe to fly without geographic limits, including over populated areas. It was the first large uncrewed aircraft certified to the NATO airworthiness standard STANAG 4671.

• Certificate issued 29 April 2025, announced 8 May 2025.
• The RAF had received 10 of its 16 ordered Protectors, based at RAF Waddington.
• General Atomics describes it as the result of an 11-year, $500M development effort.