MQ-9B SkyGuardian For RCAF

[RichB]

The RCAF will be acquiring 11 MQ-9B SkyGuardian (Protector) aircraft and 6 ground control stations for the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). It is the first UAV to be FAA certified for operation in civilian airspace and meets NATO Standards for lightning protection, de/anti-icing, TCAS and sense and avoid technology. The wing span has been increased to 79 ft with winglets. It has a 1850 km (1150 mi) mission radius and 34 hr endurance (it set a 48.2 hr endurance record during testing). Canada will be equipping it with the Wescam MX-20 EO/IR system requiring some development work. There will be additional work and testing to integrate new systems required for high Arctic operations with fixed-wing and satellite assets as well as general operation and maintenance in extreme conditions. While it won't be armed for domestic operations, it has nine hardpoints with a 2160 kg (4762 lbs) maximum payload capacity when required for deployed operations.

Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2028. The aircraft will be home stationed in Comox and Greenwood and deployed to a Forward Operating Location (FOL) when supporting northern operations. The "cockpits" and a command and control centre will be in Ottawa. Crew for each aircraft will consist of a pilot, sensor operator and intelligence coordinator.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[Rhino]

Are any RCAF Hornet drivers offering to go 1V1 with the Protector RPV?

 

[moon puppy]

That would be interesting but that thing doesn't look like it's going to be as agile as a Hornet.