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The UK Ministry of Defence is procuring Protector RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft systems from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for GBP 195,000,000 to equip the Royal Air Force with advanced intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance capabilities, replacing the existing MQ-9A Reaper fleet. These MQ-9B-based RPAS, certified for unrestricted operational use including in civil airspace, support a broad range of defense and security missions with over 40 hours endurance and precision strike weapons like Paveway IV bombs and Brimstone missiles. The procurement builds on prior contracts, expanding from an initial three to 16 aircraft, with operations based at RAF Waddington.