General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced a partnership with South Korean firm Hanwha Aerospace on Tuesday to develop and produce a short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) version of the Gray Eagle drone. The agreement was signed on the same day, with plans to create a production-representative version of the drone.

The first flight of the STOL version of the Gray Eagle is expected to take place in 2027, with deliveries potentially starting in 2028. This new variant is anticipated to be sold to customers globally, including the U.S. and South Korean militaries. David Alexander, president of General Atomics’ aeronautics division, emphasized the commitment of both companies to invest in the project and to establish development and production capabilities in South Korea.

Unlike previous Gray Eagle models produced in San Diego, California, this version will be manufactured at a new facility in South Korea, which General Atomics says will help reduce costs. The company will oversee the final integration of the STOL system.

The STOL Gray Eagle is designed for operational flexibility, capable of taking off and landing on various surfaces such as dirt roads, open fields, beaches, and parking lots. This operational versatility is intended to support missions involving reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, or counter-drone operations in challenging environments.

In August 2023, General Atomics successfully tested a demonstrator prototype named Mojave at a dirt strip near El Mirage, California. The tests showed that Mojave could take off in as little as 586 feet and land in as short a distance as 335 feet. This capability aims to facilitate rapid drone deployment to unconventional forward locations without the need for traditional runways.

Mojave is capable of being transported in a C-130 aircraft and can be quickly assembled and deployed. Its wing structure allows for the carrying of up to 16 Hellfire missiles or similar armaments, and it features a ruggedized airframe, enabling operation in austere conditions.

In 2024, General Atomics and Hanwha collaborated to perform a flight of the Mojave demonstrator from a South Korean navy amphibious landing ship. The prototype has also been launched from the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in 2023 and conducted live-fire testing at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona the following year.

Stephen Losey covers air warfare for Defense News and has an extensive background in military reporting.