General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has taken a significant step forward in the realm of unmanned aviation by conducting a successful live-fire test of the Mojave unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in the Yuma desert, demonstrating its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities and effectiveness in engaging targets in November 2023. The Mojave, equipped with Dillon Aero’s DAP-6 Gun Pod Systems, executed multiple passes expending around 10,000 rounds of ammunition, showcasing its versatility in the field.
David R. Alexander, President of GA-ASI, expressed his enthusiasm for the tests stating, “Seeing our Mojave perform this live-fire demo really emphasizes the versatility of the Mojave UAS and what it can do.” He emphasized the UAS’s multi-role capabilities as a “sensor, shooter, and sustainer,” which underlines its potential to change the landscape of future military aviation, especially given its ability to operate from diverse terrains, including aircraft carriers.
The Mojave drone’s performance at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, funded through GA-ASI’s internal research and development budget, is built upon the technological lineage of the MQ-9A Reaper and MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range systems. Its larger wings and high-lift devices, paired with a robust 450-HP turbine engine, allow the Mojave to carry double the payload of its predecessors and take off and land from semi-improved surfaces with remarkable short distances required.
This versatile UAS is not just a concept but has already demonstrated its capabilities aboard an aircraft carrier, the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales, making it the first aircraft in its class to achieve such a feat. Its potential to support naval missions and sea-based operations for joint, conventional, and special forces is immense.
In a European-first demonstration, the Mojave trial aboard the HMS Prince of Wales marked a new era in maritime aviation, showing the Royal Navy’s ambition to evolve its carrier strike group into a mixed crewed and uncrewed fighting force. The Royal Navy could potentially pioneer the world’s first operational carrier-based drone force, as the Mojave and drones like it offer a cost-effective solution for the skyrocketing costs of naval aviation. According to General Atomics, the Mojave represents a new dawn in maritime aviation, poised to enhance the potency of carrier strike capabilities well into the 21st century.
As part of the experimentation, the Mojave was operated from the HMS Prince of Wales off the coast of Virginia, conducting takeoffs, circuits, approaches, and landings from the carrier’s flight deck. This marked a groundbreaking shift in naval operations, with the Mojave providing a potential answer to the shortage of cost-effective aviation options for the U.K. and other nations with similar naval capabilities.
The Mojave’s success aboard the HMS Prince of Wales was seen as a critical step in harnessing the power of uncrewed aircraft for the Royal Navy. Vice Admiral Martin Connell highlighted the international interest in the trials, recognizing that “with so many international partners interested in the results of these Mojave trials on board HMS Prince of Wales, I am delighted that we are taking the lead in such exciting and important work.”
Relevant articles:
– Mojave: How Aircraft Carriers Could Become Drone Carriers, The National Interest
– The Royal Navy Could Field the First Aircraft Carrier Drone Force, Popular Mechanics
– Mojave drone takes off and lands aboard Royal Navy aircraft carrier, DefenseScoop
– Mojave Drone Flies From British Aircraft Carrier, The War Zone