General Atomics unveils its newest UAS
The Mojave can quickly reload weapons at austere sites, located close to the conflict zone. (Photo: General Atomics)
General Atomics has unveiled its newest UAS, the Mojave, which first flew this September.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is unveiling its newest UAS, the Mojave. The system has been named after one of the most austere environments in the world to reflect its utility and endurance.
Mojave is based on the avionics and flight control systems of the MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1C Gray Eagle-ER.
However, it features some unique improvements to focus on STOL capabilities and increased firepower. It boasts enlarged wings with high-lift devices and a 450HP turboprop engine.
Mojave provides options for forward-basing operations without the need for typical airport runways or infrastructure.
It can land and take off from unimproved surfaces while also retaining significant advantages in endurance and persistence over crewed aircraft.
The STOL capability increases the number of employment options available to Mojave, potentially including aircraft-based options, unlocking naval missions or sea-based support for special operations forces.
Its payload capacity is 3,600kg (1,633kg) and Mojave can carry up to 16 Hellfire or equivalent missiles.
Mojave can be equipped with a sensor suite including EO/IR, Synthetic Aperture Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator and SIGINT to support operations.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, GA-ASI claimed that the Mojave should be considered for Special Operations Command's (SOCOM's) Armed Overwatch programme.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed]()
Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed
New Delhi had been gearing up to sign a Navy Rafale deal as talks swirled around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
![Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister]()
Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister
The comment, made by Turkish defence minister Yasar Guler, also noted that the 40-strong sale of Eurofighter Typhoons was primarily managed by the UK, not Germany.
-
![Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet]()
Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet
The statement from Prime Minister Bart De Wever during a parliamentary session follows the country’s Easter Agreement which would see it increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by the end of 2025.
-
![Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs]()
Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs
In its Q1 earnings call, the company disclosed a US$477 million pretax loss related to the programme as it works to scale up.
-
![Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss]()
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
