GA-ASI installs first composite V-tail from GKN Aerospace onto MQ-9B RPA

The first composite V-tail from GKN Aerospace (Redditch, U.K.) has been received by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI, Poway, Calif., U.S.) and installed onto an MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). SkyGuardian is the baseline RPA of the U.K. Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Protector RG Mk1. 

GA-ASI and GKN Aerospace have partnered for more than a decade, first as part of the MQ-9A program and now with the MQ-9B. Activities began with the design and build of the “fit and forget” fuel bladder system in Portsmouth, U.K., followed by the production of fuel bladders in the U.S. Today, GKN Aerospace manufactures a range of products for the Predator suite of aircraft, including fuel bladders, V-tails and the state-of-the-art lightweight landing gear system manufactured in the Netherlands.

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,” GA-ASI vice president of International Strategic Development, Robert Schoeffling, says. “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 U.K. as well.”

“Our partnership with GA-ASI on the MQ-9B program is an important development for our Defence business and paves the way for continued growth of advanced aerospace manufacturing in the U.K,” adds GKN Aerospace’s VP Defence – Europe, Rupert Dix.