The demonstration at a live-fire training range showcased the Mojave’s ability to operate from austere, short-field locations in simulated battlefield conditions.
The Mojave Short Take-Off Landing (STOL) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) has conducted what GA-ASI describes as the first-ever flight operations from a simulated battlefield by a medium-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed aircraft, the company announced on Sept. 16, 2026. The demonstration took place in a live-fire training range of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army, north of Seoul, during the Defense Drone Technology Exhibition.
Conducted in partnership with South Korean defense company Hanwha Aerospace, the operations at the tank and artillery live-fire range demonstrated the Mojave STOL’s ability to operate in austere, battlefield conditions.
The Mojave STOL is the demonstrator for the Gray Eagle STOL, as it will be called once in production, according to statements by GA-ASI. The aircraft previously took off from the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) Dokdo amphibious landing ship in 2024, and is slated to be produced in the country following an agreement between GA-ASI and Hanwha Aerospace.
The latest demonstration adds to the Mojave’s previous trials, including rough-field landing and takeoff tests in 2023, flight operations aboard the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier in November 2023, live-fire testing with two M134 7.62 mm miniguns in April 2024 at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.
GA-ASI validates tactical performance of #MojaveUAS austere battlefield capabilities and STOL flight operations during a live-fire combat simulation. #UAS
Read the news: https://t.co/xHTfQ2heji pic.twitter.com/8huBjvUG9T
— General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) (@GenAtomics_ASI) September 16, 2026
GA-ASI added in the latest release that the Critical Design Review (CDR) of a production-representative Mojave is expected in November 2026, with a first flight in 2027.
The trial
The released images show the Mojave with South Korean markings and the logos of both Hanwha and GA-ASI. The aircraft is carrying what appears to be four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, which GA-ASI described as inert, on dual weapon rails.
The Mojave operated from the runway of ROK Army 513th Aviation Battalion and the Seungjin Training Field in Pocheon-si. Operated by pilots in the Ground Control Station, the Mojave took off from a conventional runway at ROK Army 513th Aviation Battalion, flew to the Seungjin Training Field where it joined air operations, then landed on a rough maneuver trail used mostly by ROK Army tanks and artillery vehicles.
The aircraft then took off again, resumed operations, and returned to the ROK Army 513th Aviation Battalion’s runway. The release said that this trial proved that the Mojave STOL “could land at a tank and artillery live-fire range during simulated combat conditions and then take off again to continue the mission.”
Specifically, the Mojave “executed a concept of operations designed to illustrate how STOL capability enhances operational flexibility, survivability, and responsiveness for future ROK defense applications.”
📌 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (@GenAtomics_ASI) and Hanwha Aerospace (@HanwhaEurope) have demonstrated the Mojave STOL unmanned aircraft at the 2026 Defense Drone Technology Exhibition in Pocheon, South Korea.
🔗 https://t.co/4u1Tg1VGQp pic.twitter.com/CFY4zkNTBh
— Defensehere (@defensehere_en) September 17, 2026
GA-ASI added: “In an actual combat situation, soldiers could have refueled and re-armed the Mojave during its time on the ground at the range.” Additionally, the company claimed that “no other aircraft with Mojave’s endurance, range or payload has this ability.”
Demonstrating Mojave’s multirole capability
GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue stressed that the Mojave demonstrated it can perform the complete range of “tactical missions that are representative of real battlefield requirements and challenges.” Blue further added: “Whether the user needs contested and austere battlefield operations, ISR, weapons delivery, Air-Launched Effects deployment, troop resupply, counter-UAS, or missions requiring short and unimproved roads for takeoff, our aircraft answer the bell.”
Hanwha Aerospace CEO Buhwan Lee said the trial “marks an important milestone in delivering tangible results through the partnership between Hanwha and GA-ASI.” Lee further added: “Going forward, we will work closely with the ROK defense industry to develop unmanned systems designed for future operating environments and expand our presence in global markets.”