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During live-fire demonstrations, the Mojave Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) destroyed static targets to validate the system’s battlefield relevance and rapid integration capabilities.
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 short takeoff and landing (STOL) UAS eliminated a variety of targets.
Mojave is a unique UAS with a significant payload capacity that can perform in areas once considered unsuitable for UAS operations. Its ability to take off and land from unimproved landing sites at short distances, as well as operate from aircraft carriers, is changing expectations about how large unmanned systems can be used.
GA-ASI assert that Mojave and its short takeoff and landing capability has built significant interest in the military and aerospace communities.
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. The company state that the trials marked yet another milestone for the demonstrator aircraft.
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.
GA-ASI President David R. Alexander commented; “Seeing our Mojave perform this live-fire demo really emphasizes the versatility of the Mojave UAS and what it can do. 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.
