General Atomics, Hanwha Finalize Gray Eagle STOL Deal
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Hanwha Systems have finalized a deal to produce the short takeoff and landing (STOL) version of the Gray Eagle UAS. The partnership points to continued international demand for flexible unmanned systems that can operate in more diverse and demanding environments. Hanwha will supply components for the aircraft.
- The Gray Eagle STOL is based on the Mojave demonstrator aircraft, which has undergone testing that includes operations from dirt strips, live-fire tests, and takeoffs and landings from the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and the South Korean ship ROKS Dokdo. - This partnership establishes a co-production model where the final assembly and manufacturing will occur at a new facility in South Korea, while General Atomics handles final system integration in San Diego. This strategy aims to reduce costs through international cost-sharing and create jobs in both the U.S. and South Korea. - The aircraft is designed for runway independence, capable of taking off in as little as 400 feet for surveillance missions and under 1,000 feet when armed with 12 Hellfire missiles. This allows for operations from surfaces like dirt roads, fields, and beaches. - The development timeline projects the first flight of a production-representative model in 2027, with initial customer deliveries expected in 2028. - Potential customers include the U.S. Department of Defense and South Korea's Ministry of National Defense, with both companies already in discussions with potential buyers. - The U.S. Army is actively seeking a runway-independent Group 4 or 5 UAS to replace older Gray Eagle variants, with a target fielding date of fiscal year 2028, aligning with the Gray Eagle STOL's availability. - The Gray Eagle STOL will share modernized avionics and command systems with the Gray Eagle 25M, an upgraded version of the drone featuring a new engine for improved fuel efficiency and an endurance of over 40 hours. - For Hanwha Aerospace, this partnership is a strategic move to become a comprehensive UAS company, expanding its capabilities from design and production to maintenance, building on its existing expertise in fighter jet engines, radar, and avionics.
