Britain's latest spy plane could be set to land in Norfolk.

The remotely-piloted Protector drone made its first flight from RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire, in November.

Now RAF Marham is being earmarked as a "diversionary" airfield for the craft, described as "another important milestone in the delivery of the surveillance, intelligence, and precision strike aircraft to the front line".

A letter sent to local authorities says: "Protector will require a nominated diversion airfield to be made available in the event that, for any unforeseen reason RAF Waddington becomes unavailable. 

A Protector aircraft in flightA Protector aircraft in flight (Image: MOD)

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"Following investigation into several military airfields, RAF Marham has been identified as the most suitable and preferred diversion airfield."

A public consultation is under way into the proposal, which would mean the airspace being closed to other craft within a 20-mile radius of Marham if Protector needs to divert.

Protector could be diverted to RAF Marham if its home base at Waddington in Lincolnshire is not availableProtector could be diverted to RAF Marham if its home base at Waddington in Lincolnshire is not available (Image: Ian Burt)

Protector, which has a 76ft wingspan, is the air force's largest remotely piloted aircraft, which can operate at heights up to 40,000 feet with an endurance of over 30 hours, which will provide "global surveillance capability" for the UK

It is flown by a pilot sitting in special simulated cockpit at RAF Waddington.

The RAF says it will be able to fly missions including land and sea surveillance to track threats, counter terrorism, and support to UK civil authorities, such as assisting HM Coastguard with search and rescue missions.

Marham is the home of the F-35 Lightning stealth fighterMarham is the home of the F-35 Lightning stealth fighter (Image: Chris Bishop)

It adds Protector will be "certified to stringent NATO safety and certification standards", allowing it to operate in the UK and European civilian airspace.

Some 16 of the aircraft are expected to be operational from Waddington by the middle of next year.

Marham is the home of the F-35 Lightning, the RAF's multi-role stealth fighter which can also operate from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.