Following 18 years of service the RAF’s MQ9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) has made its final operational flight.
Reaper entered RAF service in October 2007 to provide urgently needed support to UK forces in Afghanistan and has remained on coalition combat operations during Operation Shader – countering Daesh in Iraq and Syria – ever since. Reaper aircraft have flown in excess of 173,000 flying hours – almost 20 years – equivalent to travelling to the moon and back more than 50 times.
Reaper is replaced by the cutting-edge MQ-9B Protector remotely piloted aircraft. This is a step change in capability – offering greater range and endurance, improved weapon systems, and certified and cleared to fly in UK airspace.
A Royal Air Force Protector RG-Mk1 (MQ-9B), serial number PR010, from its home station at RAF Waddington, conducted a planned landaway exercise at RAF Marham. This routine training is crucial for ensuring operational flexibility and validating the aircraft’s capability to safely divert and operate from alternative airfields, should unforeseen circumstances necessitate a change of destination.
RAF Marham is the home of the F-35B Lightning, a 5th Generation, multi-role, stealth fighter. The Station is also home to a range of engineering support functions from maintenance to frontline support.
Protector offers over 40 hours of endurance, is equipped with advanced sensors, and will support missions including surveillance, search and rescue, and armed operations alongside NATO allies.
“Over the last 18-years, the Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System has been the backbone of RAF operations in the Middle East. Its capabilities have been critical in supporting UK and Coalition forces, and it has made a significant contribution to the RAF’s ability to be Agile, Integrated and Ready to fly and fight. Amassing an astonishing number of operational flying hours, I am incredibly proud of all of the RAF personnel that have been involved in its highly skilled operation over so many years.”
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth
The Reaper has most recently been flown by crews from XIII Squadron, consisting of a pilot, sensor operator and mission intelligence coordinator who are based in the UK at RAF Waddington, with the aircraft flying regularly in the Middle East.
“It is a great honour to command XIII Squadron at this historic time. It is with a heavy heart but immense pride to have flown our last mission and retire the MQ-9A Reaper from Service following 18 years of continuous operations. I am extremely proud of the people on XIII Squadron and the Whole Force that support us, and I wish to pay tribute to them, and their families, for their exceptional contribution to UK Defence. With the introduction of the MQ-9B Protector, the future is certainly bright for XIII Squadron and the wider Remotely Piloted Air System enterprise; I have full confidence they will continue to deliver operational excellence for the RAF ISTAR Force.”
Gp Capt Stu McAdam, Officer Commanding XIII Sqn
Source: UK Royal Air Force