In a powerful demonstration of British innovation, military strength, and Allied cooperation, the Royal Air Force has officially opened the Protector RG Mk1 Flight and Training Establishment at RAF Waddington.
The state-of-the-art centre, housed in The Oxspring Building, will serve as the primary hub for training personnel on the UK’s newest and most advanced remotely piloted air system (RPAS).
The ceremony, hosted by Air Vice-Marshal Mark Jackson OBE, Air Officer Commanding 1 Group, marked not only a significant step in the operational rollout of Protector, but also a moment of deep respect for RAF heritage. The new facility is dedicated to the memory of Group Captain Bobby Oxspring, a decorated fighter pilot who led the first flight of RAF jets across the Atlantic in 1949—an emblem of British courage, vision, and aeronautical leadership.
“This building has only been made possible through the tenacity and dedication of a team comprising RAF personnel, civil servants and vendors who have worked together to develop this site into the world-class facility you see today, and I thank them for their efforts,” said Air Vice-Marshal Jackson.
The Oxspring Building houses live and synthetic training systems, ground control stations, and dedicated instructional spaces for the Protector RG Mk1, which officially entered RAF service earlier this summer. The system represents a leap forward in UK air power—capable of conducting long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance (ISTAR), and precision strike missions from altitudes of up to 40,000 feet for over 30 hours. Operated remotely from RAF Waddington, Protector delivers a unique, global reach with minimal on-site support requirements.
Operated by 54 Squadron—home to the Advanced Air ISTAR Academy—the centre delivers over 30 multi-skilled courses for current and future RAF ISTAR platforms. It is also a cornerstone of NATO’s Flight Training Europe (NFTE) campus, a multinational effort designed to enhance interoperability and readiness across Allied nations.
“The opening of this NFTE training facility is a testament to what NATO Nations can achieve when they come together with a shared purpose,” said Mr Allan McLeod, Director of NSPA Life Cycle Management. “By integrating world-class capabilities like Protector into the NFTE framework, we are enabling the future of multinational aircrew training, while increasing availability and readiness across the Alliance.”
NFTE, a High Visibility Project under NATO, is being implemented through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and includes 17 member nations. The integration of Protector into this framework underscores the UK’s commitment to shared defence priorities and modern collective security.
This latest development comes as the RAF prepares to transition from the current Reaper system to Protector by the end of 2025, a move that will significantly expand the UK’s sovereign capabilities in the air domain.
The opening of the Protector Training Centre at RAF Waddington is not just an operational milestone—it is a proud reaffirmation of the RAF’s enduring legacy, the strength of UK innovation, and the vital role Britain plays in keeping the skies safe for generations to come.
Main Image: 51 Squadon at RAF Waddington. Photographer: AS1 William Moulton RAF UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025 MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
