UK MOD Signs Protector Support Contract with GA-ASI
9.6.2025 20:00:00 EEST | ACCESS Newswire | Press release
SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 9, 2025 / The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence has signed a support and sustainment contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for logistics and maintenance of the Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system. The contract - known as the UK Protector Availability and Support Solution or UK PASS - will provide ongoing support for the new Protector RPA systems supplied by GA-ASI and now being operated by the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF). The Protector RPA is based on GA-ASI's MQ-9B SkyGuardian®.
UK PASS is a Direct Commercial Sale contract and includes support for the Protector program's RPA, the Certifiable Ground Control Stations and the Synthetic Training Systems.
"This contract marks an essential milestone in the fielding of the Protector RPA system for the RAF," said Chris Dusseault, Vice President of MQ-9B in Europe. "With the UK PASS contract in place, we can now transition from the test and development phase of the program to training the RAF flight crews for operations."
UK PASS is part of GA-ASI's SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions (SGSS), which provides support for the entire MQ-9B customer base. SGSS is a shared Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) model, with resources such as labor, material, and overhead for maintenance, supply management, and other support functions required to sustain the RPA system, pooled together for use by the entire customer base. This approach provides efficiencies and a lower cost for customers.
"The awarding of the PASS contract marks three years of intensive work between GA-ASI and UK MOD multidisciplinary teams to turn a concept in to a reality. This has generated a first-in class sustainment solution for the Royal Air Force Protector fleet, that exploits contractor owned inventory from a global common spares pool. This contract differs from a traditional spares and repairs contract, achieving economies of scale via a multi-customer common operating model," said Group Captain Rich Cameron - Uncrewed Air System 3 Team Leader.
GA-ASI's MQ-9B is the world's most advanced RPA system, delivering exceptionally long endurance and range. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® models, with multiple deliveries made to the U.K.'s Royal Air Force (Protector), as well as orders from Canada, Poland, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 8 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle® 25M, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike.
For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.
Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.
Contact Information:
GA-ASI Media Relations
asi-mediarelations@ga-asi.com
(858) 524-8101
SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Subscribe to releases from ACCESS Newswire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from ACCESS Newswire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from ACCESS Newswire
Surmodics Opens Medical Device Coating Capabilities in Ireland10.9.2026 17:00:00 EEST | Press release
The Galway Facility Brings Nearly 50 Years of Coating Expertise, Cleanroom Coating Services and Analytical Testing Closer to Medical Device Manufacturers Across Ireland and Europe BALLINASLOE, COUNTY GALWAY, IRELAND / ACCESS Newswire / September 10, 2026 / Surmodics, Inc. today announced its expanded medical device coating capabilities in Galway, Ireland, expanding access to the company's Performance Coatings and coating services for medical device manufacturers throughout Ireland and Europe. The facility now includes dedicated cleanroom environments designed for medical device coating services and brings Surmodics' nearly 50 years of coating experience closer to one of the world's leading medical technology hubs. "Ireland is home to a significant concentration of medical device manufacturers and technology innovators, making it an important market for Surmodics and our customers," said Damien Kilcommons, Vice President of Site Operation at the Ireland facility. "By establishing dedica
MicroVision to Preview Next-Generation Lidar-Based Perception Platform at IAA Transportation 202610.9.2026 16:20:00 EEST | Press release
New modular approach will bring together MicroVision lidar hardware, perception software and open sensor integration to enable flexible perception solutions across applications REDMOND, WA AND HANOVER, GER / ACCESS Newswire / September 10, 2026 / MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ:MVIS), a leader in advanced perception technologies, today announced plans to unveil its MicroVision Perception Platform™ at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, Germany next week, marking the next evolution of the company's Lidar 2.0 strategy. The new modular platform is designed to bring together MicroVision's expanding portfolio of lidar hardware, perception software and open sensor integration into a flexible architecture that can be configured around the requirements of individual applications spanning automotive, commercial vehicles, industrial, security, defense and aerial use cases. Rather than relying on a fixed sensor configuration or closed "black box" solution, the MicroVision Perception Platform is being d
GA-ASI Unveils Wildfire UAS for Military, Civil and Commercial Roles10.9.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
New Uncrewed Aircraft Combines Exceptional Endurance and Range with Unsurpassed Payload and Affordability at Scale SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / September 10, 2026 / The world leader in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is pleased to announce its groundbreaking Wildfire UAS, a clean-sheet aircraft designed to maximize future investments in large uncrewed aircraft that incorporates lessons learned over decades of large-scale global UAS operations. Wildfire draws upon more than 30 years of delivering more than 1,600 world-changing uncrewed aircraft, including the MQ-1B Predator®, MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, MQ-20 Avenger® and FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft. GA-ASI aircraft have amassed nearly 10 million total flight hours, mostly in combat, and introduced many of the technologies and concepts now emulated by others around the world. "This is exactly the right design for high-demand missions and cost-conscious customers," said
Steelcase Names Proven Growth Leader Irene Tasi as President9.9.2026 22:00:00 EEST | Press release
Experienced commercial and innovative leader will guide the Steelcase business as the company builds on its design leadership, dealer network and customer-focused strategy. GRAND RAPIDS, MI / ACCESS Newswire / September 9, 2026 / Steelcase today announced Irene Tasi has been named president of Steelcase and will lead the business effective September 14, 2026. Tasi brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience with a track record leading complex businesses through growth, portfolio development, commercial execution, and organizational change. Her background includes full P&L responsibility, enterprise strategy, innovation, and sales and channel leadership. She will report to Jeff Lorenger, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, HNI Corporation. "Irene brings a combination of commercial leadership, product innovation, operating discipline, and customer focus that makes her exceptionally well-suited to lead Steelcase," said Lorenger. "She has led businesses where
Global Study: Nursing Shortages Require Workforce Policy Solutions, Not Recruitment Campaigns Alone9.9.2026 16:01:00 EEST | Press release
Why people choose nursing, and why they leave, comes down to the same factors PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / September 9, 2026 / The global nursing shortage cannot be solved simply by encouraging more people to enter the profession, according to a new evidence brief from the Global Nursing Workforce Centre (GNWC), a joint initiative of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and TruMerit®. Drawing on research from 42 countries, the brief, The Attractiveness of Nursing for Prospective and Current Nursing Students, finds that the factors influencing people to choose nursing are often the same ones that determine whether they stay. Working conditions, compensation, professional respect, career development opportunities, workplace experiences, and the ability to provide quality care all shape nursing attractiveness to current nurses as well as potential recruits. The findings suggest that countries seeking to strengthen their nursing workforce must focus not only on recruitment, bu
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom