General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has named retired Royal Air Force (RAF) Air Vice-Marshal Tom Burke as Vice President of International Strategic Development for the United Kingdom.
Burke will be responsible for GA-ASI’s ongoing and potential business with UK Defence and related markets. He will be based at the company’s London office.
“We’re thrilled to have Tom join the GA-ASI team,” said Aria Mahdion, Regional Vice President for GA-ASI. “He brings deep experience as a Royal Air Force senior leader, and we will draw on his strong regional background in support our U.K. customer. Tom brings a distinctive perspective as a former Tornado pilot and MQ-9A Reaper® Squadron Commander, with combat experience on both types — providing valuable insights in today’s conflict environment.”
The RAF currently operates GA-ASI’s Protector RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), a UK-specific version of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian. The Protector is replacing the RAF’s MQ-9A Reaper fleet.
Burke served in the RAF for 35 years, holding command positions at squadron, wing and two-star operational levels. His operational flying experience included deployments over the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, working alongside NATO and US forces.
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He also served with the US military, including as an instructor at the US Air Force Staff College. His other assignments included Director of the 609th Air Operations Center in Qatar and Vice Director of Operations at US European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
Burke’s final RAF position was Air Officer Commanding No. 11 Group, where he was responsible for UK air operations globally and served as the UK’s Air Defence Commander.
