The first V-tail from GKN Aerospace has been supplied to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and installed onto an MQ-9B drone, which is destined for the RAF.

The first of the advanced composite V-tails was shipped from the GKN facility in Cowes to GA-ASI in Poway, California and fitted onto an MQ-9B, which will then be delivered to the RAF as a Protector drone.

GA-ASI and GKN Aerospace have partnered for more than a decade, first as part of the MQ-9A programme and now with the MQ-9B.

The GKN Aerospace V-tails are now a standard component of MQ-9B SkyGuardian and the maritime variant, SeaGuardian.

“Our companies have worked together for many years, and we’re thrilled to have GKN Aerospace as a strategic supplier for MQ-9B,” said GA-ASI vice president of international strategic development, Robert Schoeffling. “V-tails from GKN Aerospace are not only for the RAF’s Protector, but the global MQ-9B fleet will use these tails manufactured in the UK as well.”

GA-ASI and GKN Aerospace announced the V-tail collaboration for MQ-9B earlier this year.

GKN Aerospace has been a global supplier to GA-ASI’s MQ-9 programme for a decade. Activities began with the design and build of the “fit and forget” fuel bladder system in Portsmouth, followed by the production of fuel bladders in the US.

Today, GKN Aerospace manufactures a range of products for the Predator suite of aircraft, including fuel bladders, V-tails, and the lightweight landing gear system manufactured in the Netherlands.

GKN Aerospace’s VP defence – Europe, Rupert Dix, said: “Our partnership with GA-ASI on the MQ-9B programme is an important development for our defence business and paves the way for continued growth of advanced aerospace manufacturing in the UK. Our team at the Cowes facility has worked very hard to get the V-tail line into full production while working to ensure on-time delivery of our quality products. We look forward to affirming our commitment throughout the lifecycle of this vital platform.”

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