General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has announced that it has reaffirmed its collaboration with Cobham Aviation Services UK for through-life support strategies for the Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). First delivery of the GA-ASI-developed RPA to the Royal Air Force (RAF) is expected in the early 2020s.

Cobham has been providing technical and maintenance support for the RAF Reaper Ground Control Stations at RAF Waddington since 2015 and were involved in the historic trans-Atlantic flight of GA-ASI’s SkyGuardian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which landed at RAF Fairford in July 2018. Protector RG Mk1 is based on SkyGuardian.

“Working with Cobham, we’ve established an excellent support network for the RAF and the Protector RPA,” said Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. “We’ve teamed with Cobham to support a number of customers over the years, and we’re excited to continue to work together to develop this long-term through-life sustainment solution for the Protector program. With the RAF Reapers on continued deployed operations we want to ensure a robust and seamless transition from Reaper to Protector.”

The support services include developing maintenance strategies that provide lower cost sustainment over the life cycle of the product and providing distribution and other logistical support. GA-ASI and Cobham Aviation Services have had a long-lasting relationship and are well-suited to provide sustainment to the UK Protector programme.

Cobham Aviation Services Senior Vice President Paul Armstrong said, “Cobham is proud to be extending its commitment to both General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and to the RAF to provide long-term UK support to the Protector programme.”