Mojave Takes Center Stage: Dazzling Live-Fire Demo in the Yuma Desert
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has confirmed that its Mojave Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) successfully targeted stationary objectives in live-fire exercises on April 13, 2024, affirming the system’s relevance on the battlefield and marking yet another achievement for the demonstrator aircraft.
GA-ASI collaborated with Dillon Aero to equip two of Dillon’s DAP-6 Gun Pod Systems onto the Mojave aircraft. The Mojave executed seven passes over two flights during the showcase, utilizing approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition as the UAS decimated a range of targets.
“Observing our Mojave execute this live-fire demonstration truly highlights the adaptability of the Mojave UAS and its capabilities,” stated GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Mojave can serve as a sensor, shooter, and sustainer while minimizing threat scenarios and exposures and protecting human lives.”
The Mojave’s short takeoff and landing (STOL) prowess has generated considerable interest in the military and aerospace sectors. The Mojave stands out: a UAS with substantial payload capability that can operate in regions previously deemed unsuitable for UAS missions. Its capacity to launch and land from undeveloped sites over brief distances and function from aircraft carriers – as demonstrated in November 2023 with the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy – is inspiring innovation and reshaping perceptions of how large unmanned systems can be utilized.
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The live-fire showcase was conducted at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, and was financed through GA-ASI’s internal R&D budget.
The Mojave technical demonstrator utilizes shared systems and components with GA-ASI’s upgraded Gray Eagle 25M, effectively offering an expeditionary Gray Eagle STOL capability. Beyond a wing kit option for Gray Eagle, GA-ASI is also planning one for the larger MQ-9B aircraft, which includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models.
The actual Mojave STOL UAS, featuring multi-mission payloads, will be showcased at GA-ASI’s booth (#792) during the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit in Denver, Colorado, from April 24-26, 2024.
