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Joint Doctrine Publication 0-30.2
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
MQ-9A Reaper
Operator and Class Royal Air Force – Class III
Weight Maximum gross weight 4,760 kilograms
Speed 160 knot cruise, 250 knot dash, 120 knot loiter
Range Approximately 5,900 kilometres depending on payload
Endurance Around 18 hours depending on payload
Operating altitude Normally 25,000 feet and below with a maximum of 50,000 feet
Power source Turboprop
Sensors
Infrared sensor, colour/monochrome daylight camera and image intensifier, Lynx II synthetic aperture radar and ground moving target indicator, laser rangefinder and designator
Launch/recovery method Runway take-off and landing
Weapons Up to four Hellfire missiles and two 500 pound Paveway II guided bombs
Number of systems 10 aircraft
Other users France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United States
Notes
- Controlled via satellite datalink
- Separate colour nose camera to assist pilot with flight control
Reaper considerations
A.8. Reaper is primarily tasked in the intelligence and situational awareness role to provide real-time data to commanders and intelligence specialists at the tactical, operational and strategic levels. It provides an armed ISR capability equivalent to that of many manned aircraft. Reaper can also provide geographic location information to commanders on the ground or to other systems capable of employing global positioning system guided weapons. Tasking Reaper requires careful thought and input from subject matter experts is essential. Providing the Reaper intelligence product to external agencies and internally to processing, exploitation and dissemination analysts and experts is likely to be challenging, particularly if not accounted for in the early planning stages.
A.9. The Royal Air Force’s ten MQ-9A Reaper are operated by No 13 Squadron, based at Royal Air Force Waddington, and No. 39 Squadron, based at Creech Air Force Base in the United States. A complete Reaper system includes four aircraft, two ground control stations, communications equipment and links, spares and personnel from all three Services supported by contractor ground crew.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... 0_30_2.pdfSection 3 – Future UK unmanned aircraft systems
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Protector
A.13. In April 2016, the MOD announced that it had selected the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Certifiable Predator B aircraft for its Protector programme. More than 20 Protector will replace the current Reaper fleet approximately 2020. Details may change as the programme matures, but in comparison with Reaper, the Protector airframe is expected to have an increased wingspan and greater endurance, with a slightly lower flying speed. It is expected to have a certified sense and avoid system to allow it to fly in UK and European airspace, alongside general aviation.