GA-ASI announced that qualification testing for the MQ-9B, to carry the Paveway IV guided bomb and Brimstone 3 missile was completed on Jun. 18, 2026, though notably Paveway IV has already been seen on the aircraft.
Announced on the first day of Farnborough International Airshow 2026, the news brings some clarity to questions over whether the Protector RG1 – which is flying operational missions with the Royal Air Force in place of the retired MQ-9A Reaper – has completely assumed all of the capabilities of its predecessor.
However, it should be noted that as we reported in June, the Protector RG1 has already been documented carrying Paveway IV in operational service. Airframe PR010 was shown in official Ministry of Defence (MoD) images carrying one example of the precision guided bomb alongside what we believe to be an Outdragon pod.
New Images Show RAF Protector RG1 Operating from Akrotiri with ‘Outdragon’ SIGINT Pod
The UK Ministry of Defence has published new photos of the first deployments of the MQ-9B Protector RG1 to RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, including some of the best official views of what is believed…
— The Aviationist (@TheAviationist) June 23, 2026
Potentially, the weapon – and potentially other payloads – had been authorised for carriage ahead of the official qualification as an urgent operational requirement, since the Reaper already bowed out of service.
GA-ASI say this marks the first time the firm has led on the integration of weapons on behalf of a customer. The process was completed in Southern California.
“The Royal Air Force is our MQ-9B launch customer and we’re here to support them in any way we can,” said company President David R. Alexander. “Leading the qualification test was a unique experience and we’re excited to complete the process so successfully for the RAF.”
Protector was the first aircraft in its class to attain a Military Type Certificate from the UK Military Aviation Authority (MAA), granting it the ability to operate alongside crewed aircraft in unsegregated airspace. This means that, unlike the Reaper, the Protector fleet is based in the UK and can operate directly from RAF Waddington. In fact, it was also already documented flying from RAF Waddington with Paveway IVs.
PROTECTOR has been seen flying with live Paveway IVs, but as far as i’ve been able to gather, not yet with BRIMSTONE 3. Whether that absence specifically is what’s holding back IOC declaration, i don’t know.
B3 accumulated serious delays, been a “Red” project for a while (1) https://t.co/V97krnkQQu
— Gabriele Molinelli (@Gabriel64869839) February 13, 2026
16 Protectors have been ordered for the RAF, replacing 10 MQ-9s. Due to the ability to work in unsegregated airspace, it is likely the Protector RG1 will assume a wider degree of roles compared to its predecessor. This could include supporting UK-based exercises which previously relied on crewed aircraft playing the role of an uncrewed platform overhead. It may also take on some of the shortfall in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability once the Shadow is withdrawn from service.
“The completion of U.S.-based safe-separation weapons testing is a landmark achievement for the Protector RG Mk1. It demonstrates not only the maturity of the platform, but also the ability of the programme to integrate advanced weapons with a cutting-edge, certified remotely piloted air system, delivering benefits to both the UK and our partners,” said RAF Programme Director, Group Captain Rob Evans. “Protector will provide operational commanders with persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, combined with highly precise strike capability, ensuring that the United Kingdom remains equipped to meet evolving security challenges in an increasingly complex security environment.”
GA-ASI says aircraft are still being delivered to the service. The last public statement by the MoD said that eight airframes were in active service – a number of further airframes have been ‘delivered’ but are being utilized for trials and testing purposes.
Alongside the RAF, the MQ-9B has been delivered to Belgium and Japan. Customers pending delivery include Canada, Denmark, Poland, Germany, India, Qatar, Taiwan, and the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command. A potential buy for the wider U.S. Air Force has been touted as the logical way to respond to the loss of a large number of MQ-9As during Operation Epic Fury and prior operations against the Houthi rebels, though current efforts seem focused on securing the few remaining MQ-9A spec airframes available.
Denmark joins the U.K., Belgium and Poland in the growing list of European countries that have selected #MQ9B for its multi-domain capabilities with exceptionally long range and endurance. The versatile system provides advanced, interoperable ISR&T capabilities to Denmark and… https://t.co/f2L4Qctt5r
— General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) (@GenAtomics_ASI) August 7, 2025
Also announced at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow was the news that GA-ASI has progressed along the pathway to certifying the Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile (JSM) on the MQ-9B. JSM – which, in ideal conditions, has a range in excess of 500 kilometres – would give MQ-9B a significant upgrade in terms of long range strike.
Despite the heavy losses suffered by the U.S. Reaper fleet in recent years, it is clear the platform is still held in high regard throughout the industry. The U.S. Air Force itself labelled the Reaper as its ‘most valuable platform’ during the U.S.-Iran conflict.
