Jane Edwards
General Atomics has developed and conducted a flight test of a drone prototype that can carry and launch up to 16 Hellfire missiles, Breaking Defense reported Sunday.
The publication cited sources that say the unmanned aerial system performed its maiden flight at General Atomics’ Desert Horizon test grounds in the Mohave Desert in the summer and that the company plans to unveil pictures and specifications of the UAS by the end of 2021.
The new drone has avionics and automated takeoff and landing capabilities and its design appears similar to that of the extended range MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS. A source said the new unmanned platform can be recovered from dirt roads, rough airfields and onboard ships since it only requires less than 800 feet to lift off or land.
One of the sources said General Atomics designed the UAS with Special Operations Command’s Armed Overwatch program and Army Futures Command in mind and that the drone could also be of use to the U.S. Marine Corps and other expeditionary forces.
