The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has finalized a comprehensive logistics and sustainment contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to ensure long-term operational availability of the Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft system.
The agreement, titled the UK Protector Availability and Support Solution (UK PASS), represents a critical step in the United Kingdom’s strategic integration of advanced uncrewed capabilities into the Royal Air Force. Designed to support the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®-based Protector platform, UK PASS will enable continuous operational readiness and reduce lifecycle costs through a robust commercial logistics framework.
Delivered as a Direct Commercial Sale, UK PASS encompasses not only the RPA systems themselves but also the Certifiable Ground Control Stations and Synthetic Training Systems, providing a full-spectrum support architecture. The contract is embedded within GA-ASI’s SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions (SGSS), a global Contractor Logistics Support model that centralizes labor, materials, and management resources across the entire MQ-9B user community. This collaborative support ecosystem optimizes efficiency, minimizes downtime, and ensures rapid response to maintenance and supply chain needs across multiple international customers.
Chris Dusseault, Vice President of MQ-9B in Europe, said, “This contract marks an essential milestone in the fielding of the Protector RPA system for the RAF. With the UK PASS contract in place, we can now transition from the test and development phase of the program to training the RAF flight crews for operations.”
Group Captain Rich Cameron, Uncrewed Air System 3 Team Leader, added, “The awarding of the PASS contract marks three years of intensive work between GA-ASI and UK MOD multidisciplinary teams to turn a concept in to a reality. This has generated a first-in class sustainment solution for the Royal Air Force Protector fleet, that exploits contractor owned inventory from a global common spares pool. This contract differs from a traditional spares and repairs contract, achieving economies of scale via a multi-customer common operating model.”
GA-ASI’s MQ-9B is the most advanced remotely piloted aircraft system in service today, offering unmatched endurance, range, and mission flexibility. The family includes both the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian variants, with the Protector RG Mk1 tailored specifically to meet RAF and NATO airworthiness standards.
In addition to the United Kingdom, MQ-9B has been selected or acquired by a growing number of global partners including Canada, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, India, and the United States. The platform continues to demonstrate its versatility and operational value in joint force exercises such as Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.
