Skyward Innovations: GA-ASI SeaGuardian Completes Groundbreaking First UAS Flight in the UK

For the very first time, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has authorized a point-to-point domestic flight of an unmanned vehicle that utilized the UK’s aviation infrastructure. This milestone was achieved when General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) operated its MQ-9B SeaGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from Lincolnshire, England to Moray, Scotland on September 12, 2021. The GA-ASI-controlled RPA flew from Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington to RAF Lossiemouth, with the SeaGuardian flight being overseen by NATS, the UK’s civilian Air Navigation Service Provider.

“The Airspace Coordination Notice released by the CAA for this series of demonstration flights within UK airspace represents the most extensive and detailed plan we have ever created to ensure that the integration of SeaGuardian into the airspace meets the highest safety standards,” remarked Tom Gratton, CAA Airspace Regulator.

“We are grateful for the teamwork and collaboration with the CAA and NATS in advancing the industry,” stated GA-ASI Vice President of International Strategic Development, Robert Schoeffling. “This successful flight not only paves the way for future operations of Protector in UK airspace but also for other civil and commercial UAS flights.”

Protector RG Mk1 is the designation from the RAF for the RPA they have obtained from GA-ASI, based on the MQ-9B. The GA-ASI-owned, civil-registered craft that accomplished this pioneering flight is currently operating from RAF airfields as part of a series of ongoing demonstrations conducted by GA-ASI for the RAF.

NATS reported that the flight was managed through more complex airspace than any previous UAS flights in the UK. “This flight necessitated that we transition control between several civil airspace sectors,” explained Mark Watson, Head of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) Service Integration for NATS. “The procedures for this flight mirrored our existing practices for conventional crewed aircraft. This allowed us to confirm that our current control methods are just as effective for remotely piloted vehicles—when the aircraft performs like SeaGuardian.”

Among the features showcased is GA-ASI’s innovative Detect and Avoid (DAA) system, a safety and situational awareness enhancement designed to facilitate Protector’s operations in non-restricted UK airspace, alongside the platform’s capability for integration into broader European airspace. DAA will permit Protector to navigate among regular aviation traffic in the UK’s national airspace, setting it apart from other aircraft within its category. The demonstration flights are also aiding RAF Waddington, which will become the future base for the RAF Protector Force, in preparing and incorporating the new aircraft into its routine operations.

The demonstrations will continue through the end of September, concluding with Exercise Joint Warrior. The objective of the flight series has been to highlight the numerous operational capabilities of the MQ-9B, showcasing the platform’s advanced maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), leading endurance, and seamless interoperability with NATO allies.

SeaGuardian is the maritime variant of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®. The RAF has placed an order for 16 Protector RG Mk1 RPA systems as part of its extensive Protector program.