COLOGNE, Germany — A significant milestone in aviation safety has been achieved by General Atomics, a U.S. drone manufacturer. The company announced that its Protector drone has been granted a major certification by British aviation authorities, allowing it to operate over civilian areas without restrictions.
This Military Type Certificate confirms the Royal Air Force’s Protector RG Mk1, also known as the MQ-9B, has successfully passed an extensive airworthiness evaluation. According to General Atomics, this certification demonstrates the drone’s capability to fly safely over populated regions, a crucial aspect for expanding their operations across Europe.
The certification marks a breakthrough for the company, which has long promoted the safe integration of drones into civilian airspace. Traditionally, military drones are limited to protected air corridors when flying over land, especially in Europe’s densely populated areas, due to their original design focus on military operations rather than civilian safety considerations.
In a statement, General Atomics highlighted the significance of the achievement, stating, “This April 29 decision was a first-of-its-kind milestone for a large, unmanned aircraft system. It’s a huge accomplishment for the UK and a technological watershed in the history of unmanned aircraft systems.”
The certification is based on NATO standard STANAG 4671, which allows for the transferability of airworthiness across alliance members. Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, revealed that the company invested $500 million over 11 years to bring the MQ-9B up to the NATO safety standard.
In addition to the British Royal Air Force, the MQ-9B has received orders from several countries, including Belgium, Canada, Poland, Japan Coast Guard, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, and India.
