General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace have inked a partnership to co-develop and produce the Gray Eagle Short Takeoff and Landing (GE STOL) unmanned aerial system. The collaboration integrates GA-ASI’s expertise in advanced drone systems with Hanwha’s domestic manufacturing and avionics capabilities, enabling both countries to enhance autonomy, industrial capacity, and regional defense cooperation. Under the agreement, Hanwha will deliver key subsystems such as engines, landing gear, and avionics, while also establishing local assembly and production facilities in South Korea. GA-ASI will focus on systems integration and further development of the Gray Eagle platform for global customers. The co-production strategy is aimed at reducing manufacturing costs and time while supporting Seoul’s objective of expanding its indigenous aerospace ecosystem and creating high-technology jobs. Both companies anticipate that the collaboration will yield a production-ready model by 2027, followed by deliveries in 2028. “Joint production will strengthen our industrial base and accelerate South Korea’s emergence as a hub for unmanned systems,” said Hanwha Aerospace CEO Jae-il Son. The GE STOL drone, derived from GA-ASI’s proven Gray Eagle series, is engineered for operations from short, rugged, or improvised airstrips, enabling deployment in environments inaccessible to conventional UAVs. Measuring 29 feet in length and featuring a 52-foot wingspan, the drone can be transported by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and carries up to 16 Hellfire missiles. It uses a Rolls-Royce M250 engine delivering 450 horsepower, achieving a top speed of 140 knots and a 25-hour endurance. The prototype, Mojave, has already completed successful flight tests, including operations from ships like ROKS Dokdo and HMS Prince of Wales, as well as live-fire trials in Arizona. The program reinforces both nations’ commitment to expanding operational flexibility, industrial synergy, and next-generation unmanned aviation capabilities.
