Royal Air Force says Protector reaches 1,000 operational flying hours and begins carrying guided weapons

The Royal Air Force's Protector remotely piloted aircraft fleet has accumulated 1,000 operational flying hours since its first operation in November 2025 and has begun carrying guided weapons. The MQ-9B-derived Protector RG1 Mk1 now carries MBDA Brimstone 3A missiles and Raytheon UK Paveway IV precision-guided munitions, extending its intelligence-gathering role to armed missions. The RAF says Protector supplied surveillance and overwatch during the recent escalation in the Middle East, informing decisions concerning personnel, allies and partners. The milestone records operational flying and weapons carriage, rather than an announcement of a combat weapon release or a new procurement.