The aircraft covered more than 2,000 nautical miles during the flight. Its route passed through the airspace of France, Italy, Malta and Greece.
The journey took around 13.5 hours. The RAF described the flight as a historic milestone for the Protector programme.
Earlier remotely piloted aircraft, including Reaper, supported operations overseas but could not routinely operate in civilian controlled airspace. They relied on restricted routes or alternative means to reach theatre.
Protector was designed from the outset to meet the standards required for civil airspace operations. This allows it to fly alongside crewed aircraft under normal air traffic control procedures.
The RAF said the flight demonstrated Protector’s increased flexibility and reach. It also showed the aircraft’s ability to deploy more efficiently in support of UK and allied operations.
Protector is intended to deliver intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance where needed. The first European transit highlights its role in expanding the RAF’s remotely piloted aircraft capability.
