General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has put its Mojave Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to the test, showcasing the systems’ rapid integration capabilities and unique short takeoff and landing (STOL) feature during live-fire trials.
Mojave is a unique short takeoff and landing (STOL) UAS with significant payload capacity. The system can perform in areas once considered unsuitable for UAS operations, with its ability to take off and land from unimproved landing sites at short distances, as well as operate from aircraft carriers.
General Atomics assert that the Mojave UAS is changing expectations about how large unmanned systems can be used, and that the systems’ STOL capability has built significant interest in the military and aerospace communities.
The Mojave technical demonstrator shares common systems and components with GA-ASI’s modernized Gray Eagle 25M, effectively providing an expeditionary Gray Eagle STOL capability. In addition to a wing kit option for Gray Eagle, GA-ASI is planning one for the larger MQ-9B aircraft, which includes SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models.
Live-Fire Demonstration
GA-ASI partnered with Dillon Aero to mount two of Dillon’s DAP-6 Gun Pod Systems onto the Mojave aircraft. Mojave performed seven passes across two flights during the demonstration, expending around 10,000 rounds of ammunition as the UAS eliminated a variety of targets.
The live-fire tests, which took place in April 2024 at at the Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, were funded via GA-ASI’s internal research and development budget. GA-ASI state that the trials mark yet another milestone for the demonstrator aircraft.
“Seeing our Mojave perform this live-fire demo really emphasizes the versatility of the Mojave UAS and what it can do,” added GA-ASI President, David R. Alexander.
“Mojave has the ability to act as a sensor, shooter, and sustainer while mitigating threat environments and vulnerabilities and safeguarding human lives.”
GA-ASI are displaying its Mojave STOL UAS at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Denver, Colorado, April 24-26, 2024.
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