Double milestone as RAF Protector completes 1,000 flying hours – and tracks Russian warship

· Forces News
This Protector, the first of 16 destined for RAF service, carried out its maiden flight at RAF Waddington, the home of XIII Squadron (Picture: MOD)

RAF Protector drones have achieved a double first – clocking up 1,000 flying hours since being brought into service last year – and tracking a Russian warship.

Since carrying out their first operation in November 2025, Protector RD1 Mk1s have been providing vital intelligence to help keep RAF personnel and UK allies safe, particularly during the conflict in the Middle East.

The Protector, which is made by General Atomics and can operate at heights up to 40,000 feet with an endurance of more than 30 hours, is part of the RAF's ISTAR fleet – carrying out intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance duties.

Many of the flights carried out by Protector UAVs to date have been like this – in support of operations in the Middle East (Picture: MOD)

From Middle East to English Channel

Protectors have also begun carrying precision-guided weapons, including the MBDA Brimstone 3A and Raytheon UK Paveway IV.

While the Protector has been providing overwatch amid tensions with Iran and its Houthi allies out in the Middle East, the remotely piloted aircraft has now flown its first operational sorties in UK airspace, providing surveillance.

Last month, a Protector joined Royal Navy warships and helicopters carrying out the routine monitoring of Russian vessels in the English Channel, the North Sea and waters west of Scotland.

The Protector tracked a Russian warship in the Channel for more than 10 hours.

The aircraft, which was unarmed, was being flown in support of River-class patrol vessel HMS Tyne, Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless and a number of Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.

The deployment took place as the UK responds to persistent Russian activity in and around its waters, aiming to monitor and deter potential threats at a time of increased tension.

Royal Navy activity monitoring Russian movements increased by 25% during the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

One of the ships being tracked was the Neustrashimy, a frigate from the Russian navy's Baltic Fleet which is occasionally seconded to sail elsewhere, such as the Gulf of Aden on anti-piracy operations.

The warship carries a Kamov Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopter, that can also be used in an attack role.

Russian frigate Neustrashimy, which was carrying a Kamov Ka-27 coaxial rotor ASW helicopter, was monitored in a joint operation involving an RAF Protector RD1 and the Royal Navy (Picture: MOD)

First Reaper, now Protector

Protectors are flown by XIII Squadron based at RAF Waddington, which previously operated the Reaper, which the Protector replaced.

Wing Commander Sam Haley, the Officer Commanding XIII Sqn, explained the importance of the role carried out by the new pilotless aircraft.

"Protector's first operational sorties in UK airspace demonstrate the significant value this capability brings to UK defence," he said.

"Working alongside Royal Navy vessels, it provided persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage, highlighting its ability to operate seamlessly across military and civilian airspace in support of maritime security, Nato commitments and wider UK tasking."

Reaper MQ-9A UAVs were used to great effect combating ISIS on Operation Shader, but have now been retired in favour of Protector (Picture: MOD)

Merlins hard at work too

Meanwhile, Merlin helicopters from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose deployed to Glasgow Prestwick Airport as part of Operation Iceblast to support multiple maritime security operations.

Between 29 September and 8 October, the helicopters tracked the Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering vessel Viktor Leonov operating near the Outer Hebrides.

The vessel was operating near Nato units that were taking part in Exercise Strike Warrior, a multinational exercise involving more than 2,000 personnel from six nations.

And Between 11 and 14 October, HMS Tyne was also tasked to monitor RFN Aleksandr Shabalin as the Ropucha-class landing ship transited the English Channel alongside cargo vessel MV Energy-2 and tugboat Proton.

Supported by a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Tyne tracked the vessels as they proceeded towards the Baltic region.

The Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering ship Viktor Leonov was snapped by the crew of Merlin dispatched from RNAS Culdrose (Picture: MOD)

Protector hailed – along with its crews

The Protector's value to the UK in general and the RAF in particular was summed up by Armed Forces Minister Louise Sandher-Jones, a former officer in the Intelligence Corps.

"Protector is a powerful example of the future of the RAF, harnessing cutting-edge technology to give our Armed Forces a vital operational advantage," she said.

"It has already provided vital intelligence during recent tensions in the Middle East, and its success is testament to the highly skilled personnel who operate and maintain it."

XIII Squadron solely operates the Protector and is among  the first squadrons to have been formed on a single aircraft type, in this case the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c back in the First World War (Picture: MOD)