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Britain to double investment in drone technology: defense chief

Xinhua, December 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Britain's Defense Secretary Michael Fallon has agreed a 127 million U.S. dollar contract to develop cutting-edge technology for the Royal Air Force, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced Sunday.

Fallon said in a statement it will double Britain's investment in its unmanned airfleet.

The Protector Remotely Piloted Air System will be developed by U.S.-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

It will mean the company developing its current drone technology into new cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicles especially for the Royal Air Force.

An MOD spokesman said the Protector system will be equipped with the very latest technology, including advanced imaging and enhanced datalink technology. There are also plans for Protector to be armed with British-made Brimstone 2 missiles and Paveway IV laser-guided bombs.

Michael Fallon is currently in the United States as a keynote speaker at the annual Reagan National Defence Forum, in California, where he will meet U.S. Secretary for Defense Ash Carter and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dunford.

Speaking at the forum, Fallon underlined the enduring strength of Britain's relationship with the U.S. in defense, security, and innovation.

The MOD said the close collaboration between the two countries on innovative future defense technologies was emphasized recently in a joint agreement to explore the impact that robotic and autonomous systems might have on resupplying the military, with the first demonstration due next October. Endit