UK clears Brimstone for Protector

An artist's impression of a 31 Squadron Protector RG1 carrying a mixed weapons load of Paveway IV bombs and Brimstone 3 missiles. Both weapon types are now cleared for operational use aboard the unmanned aircraft. (General Atomics via Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The United Kingdom's General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B Protector RG1 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has now been cleared for carriage and release of the MBDA Brimstone 3 air-to-surface missile, the government disclosed on 20 October 2026.

Answering questions in parliament, UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, said that the completion of US-based trials means that the low-yield missile can now be carried aboard the Protector alongside the RTX-Raytheon Paveway IV laser-guided bomb that was approved in July 2026.

“Trial data has been reviewed, and operational clearances are now in place supporting the use of Brimstone 3 on Protector RG1,” Pollard said. Depending on its weapons configuration, the Protector RG1 can carry six Brimstone launch packs (each containing three missiles) under both wings for a total of 18 missiles.

Developed from the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missile, the Brimstone is a dual-mode weapon that utilises both a laser seeker and millimetre wave (MMW) sensor. Whereas the original Brimstone was designed as an anti-armour weapon, the dual-mode variant expanded the missile's target set to meet urgent operational requirements in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Used initially on Panavia Tornado GR4 strike aircraft in Afghanistan, the Brimstone was previously described to Janes by former RAF Tornado F3 pilot and MBDA official, Russ Martin, as being the weapon of choice in that theatre. “RAF crews now choose to use the Brimstone in preference to the gun, as it is a one-shot pass with a guaranteed kill,” Martin said.