SU-30SM, SU-35S, and SU-34 flying in formation - Sputnik International, 1920
Military
Get the latest defense news from around the world: breaking stories, photos, videos, in-depth analysis and much more...

UK to Start Tests of New Surveillance Aircraft This Week

© AP Photo / Matt Dunhama British flag is blown by the wind near to Big Ben's clock tower in front of the UK Houses of Parliament in central London
a British flag is blown by the wind near to Big Ben's clock tower in front of the UK Houses of Parliament in central London - Sputnik International, 1920, 23.10.2023
Subscribe
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The UK Defense Ministry announced on Monday that it will start test flights of the uncrewed Protector aircraft this week, billed as having "unparalleled" surveillance and precision strike capabilities.
"The first of 16 remotely piloted Protector aircraft has arrived at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire to commence a series of rigorous trials and tests before entering the RAF [Royal Air Force] fleet," the statement read.
The aircraft is designed to respond to multiple tasks such as land and maritime surveillance to "to track threats, counter terrorism and support to UK civil authorities," the ministry said.
The Protector drone is capable of operating at an altitude of up to 40,000 feet for over 30 hours, the statement added.

"The first phase of tests, beginning this week, will involve ground testing of the satellite links and taxi procedures, as well as take-off and landing trials. This will also incorporate a circuit above RAF Waddington," Defense Procurement Minister James Cartlidge was quoted as saying in the statement.

This handout image provided by the official Twitter account of Commodore Steve Moorhouse, Royal Navy, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group on July 6, 2021 shows a view of the vessels of the strike group sailing behind the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier through Egypt's Suez Canal. - Sputnik International, 1920, 27.09.2023
Military
Report: UK Navy Vessels May All Contain Traces of Life-Threatening Asbestos
He added that the Protector aircraft would be certified in accordance with NATO safety and certification standards which will allow it to operate in the UK and European civilian airspace.
The aircraft are expected to enter service in late 2024.
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала