UK and Belgium to collaborate on SkyGuardian Protector UAS

摘要

The UK and Belgium will collaborate on their General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B unmanned aircraft system (UAS) programmes, with a statement of intent (SOI) announced on 18 August. The SOI, which was signed by the chiefs of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Belgian Air Component (BAC), relates to the future operation of the MQ-9B, which is known as Protector RG1 in the UK and by its official company name of SkyGuardian in Belgium. "The SOI was signed by Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, Chief of the [UK] Air Staff, and Major General Frederik Vansina, Commander of the Belgian Air Component. Both parties will now focus on opportunities to work together on training, maintenance, logistic support, interoperability and capability enhancement," the RAF said in its announcement, noting that the UK will be the lead customer for the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAS capability.