New General Atomics Drone Can Carry 16 Hellfire Missiles
The Mojave unmanned aircraft system is designed for short runways and based upon the avionics and flight control systems of the MQ-9 Reaper and the MQ-1C Grey Eagle-ER.
According to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the Mojave unmanned aircraft system is based upon the avionics and flight control systems of GA-ASI’s MQ-9 Reaper and the MQ-1C Grey Eagle-ER. Courtesy: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has unveiled a new combat drone capable of carrying 16 Hellfire missiles, pushing long-endurance, armed overwatch to forward operating bases in austere environments, the company said.
The Mojave unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is based upon the avionics and flight control systems of GA-ASI’s MQ-9 Reaper and the MQ-1C Grey Eagle-ER, the company said in its announcement Thursday. In addition to the increased payload capacity and firepower, Mojave is geared for short-takeoff and landing (STOL).
It can take off on a runway less than 600 feet in length, Defense One reported.
“Mojave provides options for forward-basing operations without the need for typical airport runways or infrastructure,” GA-ASI said in a statement. “It can land and takeoff from unimproved surfaces while also retaining significant advantages in endurance and persistence over manned aircraft.”
The drone is designed for special forces; however, it remains unclear who would buy it, according to reports. It is not a capability that currently fits into the Armed Overwatch requirements of the U.S. Special Operations Command, Breaking Defense reported.
According to GA-ASI, the Mojave features:
- Payload capacity of 3,600 lbs
- Ability to carry up to 16 Hellfire or equivalent missiles
- Ability to be equipped with a sensor suite including Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR), Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator (SAR/GMTI) and Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) to support land or maritime missions
- Enlarged wings with high-lift devices
- A 450 hp turboprop engine
“We are providing the ground force with a long-endurance, armed overwatch UAS that can quickly reload weapons at austere sites, located close to the conflict zone,” GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue said in a statement. “This revolutionary design, based on seven million flight hours of UAS experience, increases expeditionary employment options—making Mojave a real game changer.”
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