General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Hanwha Aerospace are deepening bilateral defense-industrial cooperation through a joint venture to develop and manufacture the Gray Eagle Short Takeoff and Landing (GE STOL) unmanned aircraft system. The partnership will leverage GA-ASI’s long-standing leadership in unmanned flight systems with Hanwha’s advanced production, avionics, and propulsion technologies, establishing a foundation for South Korea’s evolving defense manufacturing ecosystem. Hanwha Aerospace will provide critical hardware components such as powerplants, avionics suites, and ruggedized landing systems while building a new production line for local assembly and maintenance. GA-ASI will oversee overall design integration, performance testing, and export strategy. This structure is designed to accelerate innovation cycles, mitigate manufacturing risks, and localize supply chains. The program targets 2027 for prototype readiness and 2028 for the start of production deliveries. The GE STOL is envisioned as a multi-role unmanned platform capable of surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions in austere conditions where full-length runways are unavailable. With a wingspan of 52 feet and length of 29 feet, it mirrors the payload performance of GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle 25M variant while offering greater takeoff flexibility. The aircraft’s Rolls-Royce M250 engine generates 450 horsepower, delivering speeds of up to 140 knots and operational endurance exceeding 25 hours. The drone’s design supports up to 16 Hellfire missiles and uses a satellite communication control suite for missions extending over 2,500 nautical miles. A prototype version, dubbed Mojave, has demonstrated carrier-based launches from South Korean and British vessels, highlighting its expeditionary potential. According to executives, the collaboration will drive job creation, strengthen local supply networks, and position South Korea as a leader in unmanned aerial systems within the Indo-Pacific. The GE STOL program symbolizes a strategic convergence between U.S. and Korean industrial bases, reinforcing allied interoperability and expanding dual-use aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
