The Royal Air Force has retired the MQ-9A Reaper after 18 years, completing its final operational flight as the service brings the MQ-9B Protector (Protector RG Mk1) into service. The MQ-9B is the first large Remotely Piloted Air System certified to operate in unsegregated UK airspace.
Discovered |
Briefing
The RAF has ended 18 years of MQ-9A operations as it fields the MQ-9B Protector, which is now certified to fly in unsegregated UK airspace — a material change for domestic basing, training and airspace management.
The transition comes amid broader allied MQ-9B procurement activity, including Denmark contracting four MQ-9B SkyGuardian systems (https://hype.aero/?story=0aad8aa3-b9fc-4697-82eb-4c9271cb8abc), underscoring growing allied adoption and interoperability implications.
Operational trends persist: the platform family remains operationally relevant (including a permanent MQ-9 deployment to South Korea: https://hype.aero/?story=ffa99695-4c0c-44b2-966a-d379d1717206) and capability evolution — such as the recent air-launch of a Switchblade 600 from an MQ-9A — affects sustainment, training and rules-of-engagement planning (https://hype.aero/?story=0e40a1d1-e8ab-435b-9154-bd07e5b452c5).
Reported By
Hype groups these reports into one evolving story so you can compare coverage without losing the thread.
MQ-9 Reaper Makes Final RAF Operational Flight • overtdefense.com
RAF retires MQ-9A Reaper from service • defencetoday.com
RAF retires MQ-9 Reaper after 18 years as Protector RG Mk1 enters service • airforce-technology.com
AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
United Kingdom Phases Out MQ-9 Reaper Drone • militarnyi.com