MBDA to Integrate Brimstone missile onto UK Air Force’s Protector RG Mk1 Drone

MBDA has won a contract to integrate Brimstone missile onto UK Air Force's Protector RG Mk1 drone.

Brimstone and Protector RG Mk1 will provide new capabilities to the Air Force's ISTAR force, enabling them to engage high-speed moving and manoeuvring targets (including maritime fast attack craft for the first time), MBDA said in a statement Thursday.

The Protector RG Mk1 can carry three lightweight Brimstones per weapon station, and so offers a much higher loadout than the Reaper platform it will replace.

Integration of Brimstone onto the MQ-9B SkyGuardian's weaponised version follows a series of successful firing trials of Brimstone from the Reaper/Predator B aircraft in the United States that demonstrated the advancement in performance that Brimstone offers. Brimstone integration will be completed in time for the entry to service of the aircraft with the RAF.

In early 2018, the UK MoD announced a £400 million contract with MBDA for the capability sustainment programme (CSP) of Brimstone missile, to build new missiles and extend this missile’s service life beyond 2030.