UK to purchase 20 Predator Combat Drones from the US
The Predator B unmanned systems will be fitted with advanced imagery and data link technology, and will eventually be armed with the UK-made Brimstone 2 missile as well as the Paveway IV bomb
Dan Arkin
| 06/12/2016
Britain has signed a $125 million contract with US company General Atomics for the development of a new drone and plans to eventually buy 20 of the new unmanned aircraft. "We're planning to buy 20 aircraft that will double our current fleet," Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon told Reuters.
Defense News reports that the Predator B unmanned systems, known as Protector Drones in the UK, will be outfitted with advanced imagery and data link technology, and will eventually be armed with the UK-made Brimstone 2 missile as well as the Paveway IV bomb.
Fallon also cast the agreement as proof that the relationship between the US and the UK remains strong. "The arrival of a new administration is an opportunity for us in Britain to further tighten our bilateral defense ties," he said. "There is no greater proof of the cooperation between Britain and the United States than the fact that our nuclear ballistic submarines share a common missile component, and we are investing billions in US attack helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, drones and other systems."
The Predator B unmanned systems will be fitted with advanced imagery and data link technology, and will eventually be armed with the UK-made Brimstone 2 missile as well as the Paveway IV bomb
Britain has signed a $125 million contract with US company General Atomics for the development of a new drone and plans to eventually buy 20 of the new unmanned aircraft. "We're planning to buy 20 aircraft that will double our current fleet," Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon told Reuters.
Defense News reports that the Predator B unmanned systems, known as Protector Drones in the UK, will be outfitted with advanced imagery and data link technology, and will eventually be armed with the UK-made Brimstone 2 missile as well as the Paveway IV bomb.
Fallon also cast the agreement as proof that the relationship between the US and the UK remains strong. "The arrival of a new administration is an opportunity for us in Britain to further tighten our bilateral defense ties," he said. "There is no greater proof of the cooperation between Britain and the United States than the fact that our nuclear ballistic submarines share a common missile component, and we are investing billions in US attack helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, drones and other systems."
