Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
General Atomics Adds More Weapons to SkyGuardian
Paveway IV, Brimstone, Spear, and JSM are being added to the MQ-9B’s arsenal
Protector RG.Mk 1
This impression depicts a Protector RG.Mk 1 armed with Paveway IV and Brimstone 3. © GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has completed the weapons testing for the RAF’s Protector RG.Mk 1 remotely piloted aircraft, which is based on the MQ-9B SkyGuardian. This marks the first time that GA-ASI has conducted qualification testing for a customer. The final test was conducted on June 18, and the Protector is now fully cleared for employing the Paveway IV laser-guided bomb and MBDA Brimstone 3 air-to-surface missile.

Meanwhile, at the Farnborough Airshow, GA-ASI and MBDA signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate the MBDA Spear—similar to the Brimstone—onto the MQ-9B. It will also be integrated onto the Gambit 6, GA-ASI’s collaborative combat aircraft design.