The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Reaper MQ-9 UAVs that are based in Afghanistan will be controlled for the first time from a new squadron to be formed at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, UK.

Control of the 39 squadron crews at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, US, will be transferred to the UK.

The Reapers, used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, will take on squadron number XIII.

UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the new squadron’s Reaper capacity has been doubled to ten aircraft, worth an increased investment of £135m.

The doubling of the capability will increase the ISR coverage from 36 to 72 hours a day by 2015, for which an additional five Reapers and four Reaper ground control stations are being procured from the US.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.