General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Hanwha Aerospace have signed a cooperative agreement to jointly design and manufacture the Gray Eagle Short Takeoff and Landing (GE STOL) drone, a next-generation unmanned platform built for advanced military operations. Under the partnership, Hanwha will deliver major subsystems including engines, landing gear, and avionics to enable the aircraft to operate from short and rugged airstrips, eliminating the need for full-length runways.
GA-ASI will oversee integration and production oversight in the United States, while Hanwha will set up a local assembly hub in South Korea to handle component fabrication and system testing. This dual-production approach is expected to shorten the development cycle, lower costs, and promote greater defense industry collaboration between both nations. The production model is planned for rollout in 2027, with operational deliveries scheduled for 2028.
Hanwha Aerospace’s CEO Jae-il Son emphasized that the venture will generate skilled employment opportunities and strengthen South Korea’s position as a regional UAS hub. He stated that Hanwha’s broad portfolio—spanning fighter jet engines, radar, and avionics—will help the company evolve into a full-spectrum unmanned systems manufacturer capable of handling design, production, and maintenance domestically.
The GE STOL itself represents a major leap in unmanned aviation. Featuring a 29-foot fuselage, 52-foot wingspan, and 3,400-pound payload capacity, it supports missions such as surveillance, intelligence collection, and armed strike operations. With a 450-horsepower Rolls-Royce M250 engine, the aircraft achieves 140 knots top speed, 25-hour endurance, and operates up to 25,000 feet. The platform’s prototype, known as Mojave, has already demonstrated successful takeoff and landing from South Korea’s amphibious assault ship ROKS Dokdo and the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales, validating its short-field and maritime capabilities.
