The Royal Air Force has deployed its new Protector RG Mk1 drones equipped with the Outdragon electronic intelligence system at RAF Akrotiri. This marks the first confirmed operational deployment of the Outdragon system with the RAF’s drone fleet. Images released by the British Ministry of Defence show a 54 Squadron Protector aircraft operating from the base with the Outdragon signals intelligence pod mounted beneath its right wing.

Outdragon is designed to gather communications intelligence by detecting and tracking electronic signals emitted by devices such as mobile phones and routers. The system was acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales programme from General Atomics in 2018 for approximately $5 million, with an additional $2.2 million contract to integrate the system with RAF aircraft.

The integration of Outdragon expands the Protector drones’ intelligence capabilities beyond traditional surveillance, allowing them to collect and analyze electronic data during missions, enhancing situational awareness and operational effectiveness.