General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Hanwha Aerospace have conducted simulated battlefield flight operations with the Mojave short takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft in South Korea, including a landing and departure from a rough maneuver trail at the Seungjin Training Field.

The companies described the event as the first simulated-battlefield flight operation by a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft. The demonstration was held during the Defense Drone Technology Exhibition north of Seoul and was intended to show the aircraft’s ability to use austere sites with short, unimproved operating surfaces.

Flight from runway to maneuver trail

Operated by pilots at ground control stations, Mojave departed a conventional runway at the Republic of Korea Army’s 513th Aviation Battalion. It then flew to the Seungjin Training Field in Pocheon-si, joined air operations there and landed on a trail principally used by Army tanks and artillery vehicles. The aircraft subsequently took off from the trail, resumed operations and returned to the 513th Aviation Battalion.

Mojave was configured with dual weapon rails and inert payloads for the exercise. GA-ASI and Hanwha said the concept of operations was designed to illustrate how short-field capability could improve flexibility, survivability and responsiveness for future South Korean defence applications. The companies said that, in a combat scenario, personnel could refuel and rearm the aircraft while it was on the ground at the range.

GA-ASI said the aircraft is intended for missions including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, weapons delivery, Air-Launched Effects deployment, troop resupply and counter-unmanned-aircraft operations, as well as operations from short and unimproved roads. The company also said no other aircraft with Mojave’s endurance, range and payload can conduct such operations; that claim was not independently detailed in the source material.

Production programme planned

GA-ASI and Hanwha announced their partnership in 2025 to co-develop and co-produce short-takeoff-and-landing-capable unmanned systems for customers including South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, the United States Department of War and other international users. A critical design review for a production Mojave STOL aircraft is expected in November 2026, with a first flight planned for 2027, according to the companies.

This demonstration marks an important milestone in delivering tangible results through the partnership between Hanwha and GA-ASI.

Buhwan Lee, CEO nominee of Hanwha Aerospace

Lee said Hanwha would work with the South Korean defence industry on unmanned systems for future operating environments and seek to expand in global markets. The demonstrator is scheduled to travel to Changwon for Hanwha’s Industry Day on September 21, where it will be displayed alongside South Korean suppliers, some of which are contributing to Mojave STOL production.