General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Hanwha Aerospace conducted a flight test of the Mojave drone in Pocheon, South Korea. The aircraft successfully landed on a rough, unpaved road used by ground vehicles and took off again to continue its mission, marking a world-first for this class of drone.
The Mojave drone measures approximately 9 meters in length with a 16-meter wingspan. During the test, it was equipped with dual pylons and simulated payloads to replicate a combat configuration. This capability allows the drone to operate from temporary forward locations without relying on traditional airport infrastructure.
The project aims to enable rapid refueling, rearming, and maintenance by ground troops in forward tactical areas. Previous tests for the platform included operations on unpaved surfaces, ship-based flight, and deck landings, but this was the first integration of short-takeoff and landing capabilities into a simulated combat scenario.
GA-ASI and Hanwha Aerospace are collaborating on the development and production of these systems for South Korean, US, and international markets. The Mojave project is currently in the development phase, with a critical design review scheduled for late 2026 and the first flight of a production-standard model planned for 2027.
