GA-ASI wins UK $77M MQ-9B Protector contract.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $77,190,125 cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price contract modification (P00015) to previously awarded FA8620-18-C-2009 for the United Kingdom MQ-9B Protector program.

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General Atomics MQ-9B Protector Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (Picture source: General Atomics/Royal Air Force)

This contract modification provides for the design, development, integration, and component level testing of additional capabilities being added to the baseline program. Work will be performed at Poway, California, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2023. This modification involves 100 percent Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the United Kingdom. Total cumulative face value of the contract is not-to-exceed $175,709,730. FMS funds in the amount of $28,490,220 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Medium Altitude Unmanned Aerial Systems Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

In July 2020, the UK Ministry of Defence signed a £65 million contract for initial 3 Protector aircraft with option to purchase 13 more. UK and Belgium signed  a Bilateral Statement of Intent to collaborate on their MQ-9B programmes in the following month.  In July 2021, United Kingdom signed the contract to acquire 13 more Protector remotely-piloted aircraft