A prototype of the Protector aircraft, which flies without a pilot onboard, was shown at RAF Waddington earlier. All 16 drones on order for the RAF are due to be housed at the base.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the announcement of the cash for Waddington marked “a huge milestone”, ensuring the RAF was ready to face future threats. The Lincolnshire base is also to become home to a new training centre for RAF and international crews to be trained to use the remotely piloted aircraft.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the project would ensure the fleet could operate for “many years to come”. A pre-production drone has already undertaken some sorties from the base.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff, said:
“The Protector aircraft is a huge leap forward in performance and autonomous technology.”
The Protector aircraft will operate within CAA regulations, just like any other aircraft in UK airspace, it added.
Source: BBC