General Atomics, Hanwha test Mojave drone from simulated Korean battlefield
General Atomics and Hanwha flew the Mojave short takeoff and landing uncrewed aircraft from a South Korean live-fire range north of Seoul, simulating combat conditions. The companies say it is the first time a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV has operated from such an environment.
General Atomics and Hanwha have flown the Mojave STOL uncrewed aircraft in an austere field exercise meant to mimic battlefield conditions. The flights took place north of Seoul, according to General Atomics, with the Mojave landing at and departing from a South Korean artillery and tank live-fire range.
The company says no medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV has previously completed flight operations from a simulated battlefield. The aircraft touched down on a rough trail normally used by tanks and artillery vehicles, took off again and resumed its mission. In a real conflict, ground crews could have refuelled and re-armed the UAV while it was on the ground.
Buhwan Lee, chief executive nominee of Hanwha Aerospace, called the exercise a milestone for the two companies' partnership.
The Mojave is the demonstrator for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle STOL. General Atomics and Hanwha signed a production agreement for that aircraft in 2025, when Hanwha said it would invest KRW750 million, or about $511 million, to co-develop and co-produce it. Hanwha aims to raise its profile in the UAV market and build the aircraft locally.
General Atomics said a critical design review for a production Mojave STOL is expected in November this year, with a first flight in 2027.
Sources
- flightglobal.comMojave UAV simulates operating from Korean combat zone