General Atomics Partners with Hanwha Aerospace for New Drone Development
In a significant move towards advancing unmanned aerial capabilities, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has forged a partnership with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace. This collaboration aims to develop a short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) variant of the Gray Eagle drone, promising enhanced operational flexibility.
The agreement, confirmed by General Atomics on Tuesday, sets the stage for the two companies to jointly design and produce a version of the drone that offers improved deployment capabilities. Demonstrating its ability to transition swiftly from concept to execution, General Atomics has already successfully tested a self-funded prototype.
Anticipated to take flight in 2027, the STOL Gray Eagle could begin deliveries as early as 2028. The global market, including military forces in the U.S. and South Korea, is expected to benefit from this innovation. “We’ll be leveraging the expertise of both companies to quickly bring the Gray Eagle STOL to global customers,” said David Alexander, president of General Atomics’ aeronautics division.
Unlike its predecessors manufactured in San Diego, the new iteration will be produced at a new facility in South Korea, a strategic decision aimed at cost reduction. General Atomics will oversee the final integration processes of this advanced system.
This STOL version will be capable of operating from a variety of terrains such as dirt roads, open fields, and beaches, enhancing its utility for reconnaissance and counter-drone operations. The flexibility to land and take off from unconventional surfaces marks a significant upgrade in its deployment potential.
General Atomics’ prototype, Mojave, showcased its capabilities in August 2023 by taking off and landing on a dirt strip in El Mirage, California. The drone demonstrated its proficiency by requiring only 586 feet for takeoff and 335 feet for landing.
Mojave offers a rapid deployment option for military services, capable of being transported via C-130 and assembled quickly. Equipped with wings that can carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles, it is designed to operate under challenging conditions.
Previous collaborations between General Atomics and Hanwha include successful operations in South Korea and the UK, where the Mojave was launched and recovered from naval vessels, further proving its versatility.
