Naomi Cooper
General Atomics‘ aeronautical systems division demonstrated the short-takeoff and landing capabilities of its Mojave unmanned aircraft system during a series of flight tests on a dirt strip in California.
Mojave conducted take-offs in as little as 586 feet and performed short landings on unimproved surfaces in as little as 335 feet, GA-ASI said Thursday.
The flight tests mark the first-ever STOL on a dirt surface for Mojave, which is based on flight control and modernized avionics systems of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
Mojave can carry and launch up to 16 Hellfire missiles in support of reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition missions.
“Being able to execute missions in austere locations with runway independence opens the operational envelope for commanders across all services and geographic locations,” said David Alexander, president of GA-ASI. “Mojave can do this while retaining significant advantages in endurance and persistence over Vertical Takeoff and Landing and manned aircraft.”
