Asked by: Baroness Stern (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made on (1) the 'Mosquito' project, (2) the 'Many Drones Make Light Work' programme, and (3) other work to network-enabled or ‘swarm' drones; and when they anticipate such network-enabled drone capability to be operational.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
Project Mosquito is a technology demonstration being conducted in two phases. Phase 1 is complete, and the Ministry of Defence is currently evaluating the proposals for Phase 2. As Project Mosquito is a technology demonstrator, it is not anticipated that the project will result in an operational capability.
The Many Drones Make Light Work project explores the technical feasibility and military use of a swarm of up to twenty small unmanned aircraft vehicles, operating under the control of one individual. The project is in its final phase, Phase 3, delivering a structured flight evaluation programme of this new capability with the successful first trials held in March 2020.
The Royal Air Force's swarming drones project continues to be developed by the Rapid Capabilities Office with progress during recent trials exceeding expectations in several areas. Following the successful first trials, 216 Squadron was reformed at RAF Waddington on 1 April 2020. They will take on the operating role for the RAF's fleet of network enabled drones.
Asked by: Baroness Stern (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether RAF Reaper drones have been used for operations outside of Operation Shader over the past 12 months; and if so, for what purpose they were used and where.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
REAPER is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform. We do not comment on intelligence matters and I am therefore withholding the information as its disclosure would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Baroness Stern (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many personnel have qualified as (1) Reaper drone pilots, and (2) Reaper drone sensor operators, in each of the past five years.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
I am withholding annual information about the numbers who have qualified as Reaper pilots or sensor operators in each of the last five years as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
However, I can confirm that over calendar years 2015 to 2019 a total of 93 personnel qualified as Reaper pilots or sensor operators.
Asked by: Baroness Stern (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the UK troops being deployed as part of the UK’s long-range reconnaissance force alongside the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali will be supported by (1) British Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, and (2) Royal Air Force Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The UK's upcoming deployment to MINUSMA will be supported by the British Army Desert Hawk. This is assessed as the most suitable UAV for the deployment. There are currently no plans for Royal Air Force Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems to be used on the deployment. UK forces may also receive support from other Remotely Piloted Air Systems which are deployed as part of MINUSMA, including the German HERON.
Asked by: Baroness Stern (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what types of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems will be used to support the UK troops being deployed alongside the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The UK's upcoming deployment to MINUSMA will be supported by the British Army Desert Hawk. This is assessed as the most suitable UAV for the deployment. There are currently no plans for Royal Air Force Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems to be used on the deployment. UK forces may also receive support from other Remotely Piloted Air Systems which are deployed as part of MINUSMA, including the German HERON.
Asked by: Baroness Stern (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether RAF Reaper drones have (1) conducted strikes, or (2) provided reconnaissance support, as part of Operation Kipion.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
I cannot comment on whether or not RAF Reaper remotely piloted aircraft have been or will be employed as part of Operation Kipion. I am withholding information on the location of Reaper aircraft as its release would, or would be likely, to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
Asked by: Baroness Stern (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what domestic legislation they consider to be relevant to the lethal operation of Reaper drones in Syria from RAF Waddington.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
The UK conducts all its military operations in accordance with international law (including International Humanitarian Law) and members of HM Armed Forces are subject to the criminal law of England and Wales at all times.
Asked by: Baroness Stern (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the 20 new "Protector" drones to be procured under the Scavenger Programme will be the General Atomics certifiable Predator B or any other model or variant.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
No decision has yet been made on the choice of platform to meet the Protector (formerly Scavenger) requirement. This will be determined as part of the main investment decision, which is scheduled for 2016.
Asked by: Baroness Stern (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many referrals to the RAF mental health care system from members of 13 and 39 squadrons there have been each month over the last year.
Answered by Earl Howe - Deputy Leader of the House of Lords
During Financial Year 2014-15, there were fewer than five Regular Royal Air Force personnel from 13 Squadron or 39 Squadron who were seen for an initial assessment at Ministry of Defence Specialist Mental Health Services.