General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace have agreed to collaborate on the development and production of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for the global defense sector.
The joint effort follows the successful completion of a major flight demonstration in 2024 when the two companies launched a GA-ASI MQ-1C Gray Eagle® STOL (GE STOL) UAS from the South Korean Navy’s amphibious landing ship ROKS Dokdo (LPH-6111) while it was underway at sea off the coast of Pohang, South Korea.
The demonstration highlighted the ability of the GE STOL (short takeoff and landing) to safely operate on many types of aircraft-capable ships, opening up myriad new ways for the U.S. and its allies to use this UAS to support multi-domain operations. It also paved the way for GA-ASI and Hanwha to sign this new agreement to jointly invest in and pursue new UAS business opportunities.
Gray Eagle STOL is reportedly the only medium-altitude, long-endurance aircraft of its kind with the ability to operate without a catapult or arresting gear from flight deck-equipped warships, such as amphibious ships and aircraft carriers. It also enables true runway independence by operating from unimproved fields, roads, beaches, parking lots, etc.
Hanwha Aerospace plans to invest more than 300 billion KRW (US $203.5M) in the development and production facilities for GE STOL and UAS engines, expand research and development activities, and provide production infrastructure both in South Korea and with GA-ASI in the U.S. This is in addition to GA-ASI’s past and ongoing investment in UAS STOL development.
Hanwha also plans to create jobs by securing talent in related fields and building the domestic (Korean) UAS industry ecosystem by discovering domestic parts and material partner companies. GA-ASI expects the endeavor to create nearly 10,000 jobs based on the expected sales and support over the next 10 years, and at least 500 jobs in the U.S.
MQ-1C Gray Eagle® STOL
Previously known as Mojave, Gray Eagle STOL leverages extensive commonality with the well-proven, in-production Gray Eagle 25M airframe to offer a highly capable new aircraft at greatly reduced cost and technical risk compared to a clean-sheet design.
Gray Eagle STOL has recorded a number of aviation milestones, including the flight from the Dokdo, launch and recovery aboard the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (09), live-fire testing at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., and several others.
Gray Eagle STOL offers international militaries a unique platform: a full-featured medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS with a significant battlefield payload that can take off in short distances from ships, unimproved surfaces, or other highly combat-relevant locations.
GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue, who supervised the November 12, 2024, at-sea demonstration, commented, “We’re excited to extend and deepen our business relationship with Hanwha,” said“Our test flight with Gray Eagle STOL was well-received by the Republic of Korea Navy, and we know Hanwha is ready to invest to grow a UAS business with GA-ASI both in Korea and the U.S.”
Dong Kwan Kim, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group, added, “Hanwha Aerospace views unmanned systems as a strategic pillar for the future of defense. Through our collaboration with GA-ASI, we aim to strengthen sovereign defense capabilities, expand Korea’s presence in the global UAS market, and contribute to a more robust ROK-U.S. alliance.”
