Update: Mojave takes off from simulated battlefield in South Korea

GA-ASI's Mojave short takeoff and landing (STOL) demonstrator UAV operates over a simulated battlefield in South Korea in September 2026. (Hanwha Aerospace)

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' (GA-ASI's) Mojave short take-off and landing (STOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has operated from a simulated battlefield environment for the first time during trials in South Korea.

The trial, conducted in partnership with Hanwha Aerospace, saw the UAV land at a tank and artillery live-fire range “during simulated combat conditions and then take off again to continue the mission”, GA-ASI said on 16 September.

The Mojave is a fixed-wing, medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) experimental platform designed for armed overwatch, armed reconnaissance, cargo transport and communications relay. It can operate from rough or semi-improved runways.

Demonstration

During the demonstration, the Mojave took off from a conventional runway at a Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) base in Pocheon-si, north of Seoul. The base is operated by the 513th Aviation Battalion, according to GA-ASI.

The UAV “flew to the Seungjin Training Field [also at Pocheon-si] where it joined air operations, then landed on a rough maneuver trail used mostly by RoKA tanks and artillery vehicles,” GA-ASI said.

The UAV then took off and returned to the 513th Aviation Battalion base. The demonstration “highlighted Mojave's ability to operate from an austere environment with a short runway,” the company said.

According to Hanwha Aerospace, the Mojave is equipped with a high-lift device and a 450 hp turboprop engine, allowing it to take off and land on runways as short as 100-300 m. “During this demonstration, the Mojave required a take-off run of less than 200 m and a landing run of just over 100 m,” the company said on 16 September.