The United Kingdom is all set to fund $128million to develop the Protector unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) being developed by California-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI).
The announcement was made by Michael Fallon, UK's Secretary of State for Defence, reiterating the need for drones to fight adversaries in future battles.
The funding will enable technology development for the drone. It will include advanced imaging payloads and enhanced datalinks.
Protector UAV will be armed and the fund will also look after the integration of MBDA Brimstone 2 missiles and Raytheon Paveway IV laser-guided bombs with the platform, IHS Jane's International Defence Review reported.
Protector UAV is the UK's name for Certifiable Predator B (CPB), the drone that is infamous for taking out high-value Taliban and Al-Qaeda targets.
The UK is looking to improve the drones that Royal Air Force is using and comes days after US State Department approved six medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) Protector vehicles.
The combined value is expected to be $1billion as it will include equipment, training and support. The deal will be headed to the US Congress, which has to approve it before the UK signs the contract.
The report also noted that Protector UAVs will be replacement for Reaper UAVs in the UK. Though Protector UAVs have a maximum operating altitude of 45,000 ft (compared with 50,000 ft for the Reaper), its endurance level is over 40 hours, whereas Reaper had an endurance level of only 27 hours.
The UK uses drones in both Iraq and Syria to target members of the Islamic State.
"Britain faces ever-evolving threats and we must look at innovative solutions to stay ahead of our enemies. Doubling investment in our unmanned air fleet will substantially enhance both the intelligence gathering and firepower of the RAF," Fallon was quoted as saying by The Guardian.
"The UK's security partnership with the US is the deepest and most advanced of any two nations on Earth; this programme is part of a further strengthening which will help keep Britain safe and secure," he added.
