General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace have entered into an agreement to jointly design and produce the Gray Eagle Short Takeoff and Landing (GE STOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS).
Under the partnership, Hanwha Aerospace will supply key subsystems such as the engine, landing gear, and avionics that will enable the drone to operate effectively in confined or austere environments without the need for a full-length runway.
The Gyeongsang-based company will also establish a domestic production line for assembly and manufacturing, while GA-ASI will oversee system integration and continue manufacturing other Gray Eagle variants in the United States.
According to both companies, the collaboration will accelerate the GE STOL’s development schedule, mitigate production risks, and bolster South Korea’s ambitions to strengthen its domestic UAS industry and create advanced aerospace jobs.
A production-ready prototype is expected by 2027, with deliveries projected to begin in 2028.
“Jointly producing GE STOL in South Korea and the US will create jobs and help Hanwha secure top engineering talent while advancing the nation’s UAS ecosystem,” said Jae-il Son, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace.
“Hanwha is evolving into a full-spectrum UAS company, capable of managing design, production, and maintenance by leveraging our expertise across engines, radar, and avionics.”
About the GE STOL
The Gray Eagle STOL is designed for reconnaissance, target acquisition, and manned-unmanned teaming operations in environments beyond the reach of conventional UAVs.
The drone measures 29 feet (9 meters) in length with a 52-foot (16-meter) wingspan, compact enough to be transported by a single UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
It features a fuel capacity of 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) and a payload capacity of 3,400 pounds (1,542 kilograms), capable of carrying up to 16 Hellfire missiles.
The system integrates satellite-based control for a range of 2,500 nautical miles (4,630 kilometers) and shares core hardware and software with the Gray Eagle 25M, ensuring interoperability and reliability in the field.
Powered by a Rolls-Royce M250 engine producing 450 horsepower, the GE STOL can reach 140 knots (259 kilometers per hour), sustain 25 hours of endurance, and operate at altitudes up to 25,000 feet (7,620 meters).
A prototype version, Mojave, has already undergone multiple successful flight trials. In 2024, GA-ASI and Hanwha demonstrated Mojave’s takeoff and landing from the ROKS Dokdo amphibious ship near Pohang, South Korea. The aircraft has also flown from the HMS Prince of Wales and completed live-fire testing at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.
