MQ-9B Replacement AEW&C: UK Considers MQ-9B Protector Variant for Royal Navy AEW&C Role Amid Crowsnest Struggles

MQ-9B Replacement AEW&C: UK Considers MQ-9B Protector Variant for Royal Navy AEW&C Role Amid Crowsnest Struggles

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is exploring the potential of adopting a variant of the General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aerial system (UAS) to replace the Royal Navy’s troubled Merlin HM2 Crowsnest helicopters in the critical Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) role. This development, if realized, could fundamentally reshape how Britain projects naval air surveillance and defence capability from its flagship Queen Elizabeth-cl…

Pre-Installation Sandown Initial Survey for Sonar Updates

Type of document: Contract Notice Country: United Kingdom 1. Title: Pre-Installation Sandown Initial Survey for Sonar Updates 2. Awarding Authority: Ministry of Defence NCHQ Portsmouth England PO2 8BY Contact: Email: gary.cornish100@mod.gov.uk Phone: URL: 3. Contract Type: Services 4. Description: Voluntary Transparency Notice – The Royal Navy, part of the Ministry of Defence, intends to enter into a contract with Babcock International Group for…

MQ-9B Protector Variant Under Consideration for Royal Navy Airborne Early Warning Mission

The UK’s Ministry of Defence is currently examining a variant of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian to replace the Merlin HM2 Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft. In a written parliamentary question submitted on May 12, 2025, Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, asked the UK’s Secretary of State for Defence about the assessment of the “feasibility of using the […] The post MQ-9B Protector Variant Under Consideration for Royal Navy Airborne Early Warning M…