Production and Delivery of Protector CAN

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £343,595,761 contract titled 'Production and Delivery of Protector CAN' to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the production and delivery of Protector RG Mk1 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as MQ-9B SkyGuardian, to equip the Royal Air Force with advanced remotely piloted aircraft capable of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions. These versatile drones feature a 79-foot wingspan, up to 40 hours of endurance in all weather conditions, Lynx Multi-mode Radar, and automatic takeoff/landing capabilities. This contract builds on prior agreements, such as a £65 million deal for the first three aircraft and a separate long-term UK PASS sustainment deal for logistics, ground control stations, and training systems.