In a major announcement this week, US-based drone manufacturer General Atomics announced that it has received a critical safety certification from British aviation authorities for its Protector unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which will now allow it to routinely fly over densely populated areas where civilians live.
In a statement made by General Atomics, it was stated that this important document, called the "Military Type Certificate", means that the Protector RG Mk1 aircraft (also known as the MQ-9B) belonging to the British Royal Air Force (RAF) has successfully passed a rigorous and comprehensive airworthiness assessment.
The company emphasized that thanks to this certification, UAVs now have the ability to operate “without geographical restrictions, including in densely populated areas.” This development is considered a long-awaited significant achievement in terms of General Atomics’ commercial goals in the European market. The company plans to present its drones’ ability to fly safely in civil airspace as a key selling point to potential customers in Europe.
Obstacles to Flight in Civil Airspace Are Being Removed
Traditionally designed for military purposes, military drones have normally had to stay within specific corridors when flying over densely populated areas, especially in many parts of Europe. This is primarily because these UAVs were developed without sufficient focus on elements that are vital to civil aviation, such as airborne fail-safe propulsion systems or collision avoidance technologies. However, this certification by General Atomics removes these limitations, allowing the Protector to conduct safe and routine operations in civil airspace.
“This decision on 29 April was a first-of-its-kind milestone for a large unmanned aircraft system,” General Atomics said, referring to the date on which the UK Military Aviation Authority made its decision on 29 April. The company described the development as a major achievement for the UK and a technological milestone in the history of unmanned aircraft systems.
NATO Standard Forms the Basis for Certification
At the heart of this important certification is a NATO standard called STANAG 4671. The idea behind this standard is that drone flight suitability achieved according to these specifications is also recognizable and transferable among NATO member countries. Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, stated that the company spent $9 million over 11 years to certify the MQ-500B according to this NATO safety standard. This investment is expected to significantly increase Protector’s operational flexibility in civil airspace and its international acceptance.
General Atomics reported that in addition to the British Royal Air Force, it has also received orders for the MQ-9B from Belgium, Canada, Poland, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan and India. This new certification could also positively impact Protector’s civil airspace integration processes in these countries.
