Akrotiri, Cyprus. The Royal Air Force has deployed its new Protector RG Mk1 drones equipped with the Outdragon electronic intelligence system to RAF Akrotiri. Images released by the British Ministry of Defence show a 54 Squadron Protector aircraft operating from the base with an Outdragon signals intelligence pod mounted beneath its right wing.
First confirmed deployment
The photographs mark the first confirmed operational deployment of the system with the RAF’s new drone fleet.
System function
Outdragon is designed to gather communications intelligence by detecting and tracking electronic signals emitted by devices such as mobile phones or routers.
Acquisition and integration
The system was acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales programme from weapons manufacturer General Atomics in 2018 for around $5 million, with a further $2.2 million contract to integrate the system with RAF aircraft.
Expanded role
The addition of Outdragon expands the aircraft’s intelligence-gathering role beyond conventional surveillance by enabling it to collect and analyse electronic data during operations.