So what is the Protector Drone?

Hi Guys and Girl's,

The UK's PM David Cameron has stated that the Reaper's are going to be replaced with Protector Drones.

Linkage:
www.bbc.co.uk...

So my question is What the H3LL are Protectors? I keep a close eye on defense and this is a new name to me google gets me a Unmanned attack boat.

Any clues, new build or are new version of the Reaper?

Looking forward to the information.

RAB

Good question. I'm getting the same links to an Israeli naval USV.
The only thing I found was an implication that it is a newer iteration of the Reaper.
But I'd be very curious what the Aerospace/Air Force guys might dig up.
a reply to: RAB

a reply to: RAB

Upgraded Reaper with sense and avoid radar, and other congested airspace technologies.

In that case I take we may see that flying over the friendly sky's of the UK.

Maybe a stop gap measure for MPA. I know the CAA has a bit of a problem with drones :-(

a reply to: Zaphod58

It also has a longer range as far as I know.

originally posted by: RABAny clues, new build or are new version of the Reaper?

Hey Rab, cheers for bringing this to our attention, I had a wee look online and The South China Morning Post Says:

The Protectors, to be imported from the United States, can be used as surveillance craft but can also be armed, the Ministry of Defence said.

You can find the story here, though it's much the same as the OP linkage.

I wonder if any of our stateside friends can shed any light on this...

a reply to: RAB

That's part of the point of them. They have issues training with them right now because they have to have an escort in national airspace.

It probably won't have anything to do with the MPA though. It's a lousy platform for that without a complete overhaul of the sensors and extensive modification. The Sentinel is getting a maritime radar capability to give it an MSA role that will buy time for the MPA.

The Uk has a lot of air traffic so anything to help them bumping into each other is a good thing.

a reply to: Blackfinger

NASA has been testing a sense and avoid system, apparently with more success than the last attempt, that was used for the Triton.

It looks like, contrary to what has been reported around various places, the Protector may be a renamed Scavenger UAV.

If your right Zaphod ....and you may well be then this link might be useful
link

also from a less reliable source the daily mirror

a reply to: Zaphod58

Protector does seem to be the renamed Scavenger.

Reaper Block 1, with upgraded and improved capabilities.

www.flightglobal.com...