Royal Navy to trial General Atomics Project Mojave STOL drone
GA-ASI's Mojave in flight. (Photo: GA-ASI)
A UK MoD pre-contract notice has revealed that the UK RN plans to trial General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc's (GA-ASI) Project Mojave Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) UAS.
According to MoD documents, the ministry intends to award a single-source contract worth £1.5 million to GA-ASI for a seven-month trial and experimentation period to demonstrate 'a threshold capability for a Short Takeoff and Landing Uncrewed Air Vehicle (UAV).'
Mojave is a STOL-capable version of the MQ-9B MALE UAV which is designed to fly from aircraft carriers.
In its lightest configuration, the Mojave can take off in around 122m, less than half the length of the UK's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers' 284m flight deck. Carrying 12 Hellfire missiles, the take-off distance increases to 304m.
Key to its potential capabilities
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
![Northrop Grumman awarded $705 million contract for USAF’s new strike missile capability]()
Northrop Grumman awarded $705 million contract for USAF’s new strike missile capability
The USAF has selected Northrop Grumman to develop and test the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW), a new air-to-ground weapon system, for fifth-generation aircraft and beyond.
-
![CH-47 Chinook: why the timeless helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender on the modern battlefield]()
CH-47 Chinook: why the timeless helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender on the modern battlefield
From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the latest developments and tells you everything you need to know about the workhorse of many armies and air forces in the 2020s.
-
![UK set to host headquarters for GCAP sixth-generation fighter project, reports suggest]()
UK set to host headquarters for GCAP sixth-generation fighter project, reports suggest
As discussions about the Global Combat Air Programme's headquarters location continue, Japan may lead the UK-based HQ to maintain programme balance.
-
![Honeywell urges Pratt & Whitney to share F-35 engine data or risk costly maintenance and reduced reliability]()
Honeywell urges Pratt & Whitney to share F-35 engine data or risk costly maintenance and reduced reliability
'We're getting into a zone where [the engine and the cooling] are going to be out of phase with each other... which means you're going to have to take the [F-35] jet down twice for overhaul and replacement of systems,' Honeywell official tells Shephard.
