Retired Air Vice-Marshal for the Royal Air Force Tom Burke joins GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) has welcomed Tom Burke, retired Air Vice-Marshal for the Royal Air Force (RAF), as the company’s new Vice President of International Strategic Development for the United Kingdom.

Aria Mahdion, Regional Vice President for GA-ASI, said: “We’re thrilled to have Tom join the GA-ASI team. He brings deep experience as a Royal Air Force senior leader and we will draw on his strong regional background in support our UK 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 is currently flying the Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) produced by GA-ASI, which replaced the UK Reaper. Protector is a model of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, customised to UK requirements.

Providing support for UK defence requirements

In his new role with GA-ASI, Tom will be the primary contact for future and ongoing business with UK Defence and adjacent markets. He will work out of the General Atomics’ London office.

Above: Tom Burke, retired Air Vice-Marshal for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Photo: Cpl Will Drummee RAF / UK MoD Crown Copyright 2023

Tom has commanded at the Squadron, Wing and two-star operational levels over a 35-year military career. His operational flying experience included spells over the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, alongside NATO and US allies.

He served as an embed with the US military, instructing at the US Air Force Staff College, as the Director of the 609th Air Operations Center in Qatar and later as the Vice Director of Operations at Headquarters US European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. His final RAF position was as Air Officer Commanding No. 11 Group, responsible for UK air operations globally and as the UK’s Air Defence Commander.