In a significant move to enhance military capabilities and expand their respective defense industries, South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace has forged a partnership with the U.S. drone manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI). This collaboration aims to develop and produce cutting-edge military drones for global export, marking a noteworthy step in international defense cooperation.
The partnership will focus on establishing a comprehensive unmanned aircraft system (UAS) ecosystem in both South Korea and the United States. A key objective is to scale up production and improve the performance of GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle short take-off and landing (GE-STOL) UAS. This initiative builds upon the successful first flight demonstration of the GE-STOL drone from a South Korean warship, which was executed last November. The successful landing at the Pohang Navy Airfield opened up new avenues for the drone’s use in supporting multi-domain operations.
“We’re excited to extend and deepen our business relationship with Hanwha,” remarked GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue, who oversaw the recent demonstration. He expressed confidence in the partnership, noting the positive reception of their test flight by the Republic of Korea Navy and recognizing Hanwha’s readiness to invest in expanding its UAS business with GA-ASI in both Korea and the U.S.
To this end, Hanwha intends to invest over 750 billion Korean won (approximately $517 million) to bolster GA-ASI’s ongoing development of the UAS STOL. This funding is critical for enhancing development and production facilities for the GE-STOL and UAS engines, expanding research and development initiatives, and establishing production infrastructure. Furthermore, Hanwha aims to collaborate with domestic companies to strengthen South Korea’s position in the UAS industry.
The GE-STOL, formerly known as the Mojave demonstrator platform, boasts many features common with the Gray Eagle 25M UAS. It is designed for operational flexibility, allowing for various mission types including armed reconnaissance and complex teamwork with air-launched effects. The drone has a carrying capacity of up to 1.6 tons and is capable of operating from short and unimproved surfaces. Hanwha and GA-ASI are actively planning to conduct drone flight tests by 2027.
In light of anticipated demand, GA-ASI projects the need for over 600 units of the GE-STOL model within the next decade, targeting markets across the U.S., Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Dong Kwan Kim, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group, emphasized the strategic importance of unmanned systems for the future of defense, stating that this collaboration aims to strengthen sovereign defense capabilities and elevate South Korea’s profile in the global UAS market, thereby contributing to a more robust alliance between South Korea and the United States.
