Maiden Flight Scheduled for 2027
First Delivery to Purchasing Countries in 2028
Hanwha Aerospace is entering the global unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market through a partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), a leading global UAV company.
On October 15, Hanwha Aerospace announced that it had signed a joint development agreement with GA-ASI for the Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) UAV "Gray Eagle-STOL (GE-STOL)" at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) defense exhibition held in Washington, DC.
The two companies will jointly develop one GE-STOL demonstration unit, aiming for its maiden flight in 2027 and the first delivery to purchasing countries in 2028. Hanwha Aerospace will supply the engine, landing gear, and fuel systems, while Hanwha Systems will provide avionics and mission equipment. Hanwha Aerospace also plans to establish a domestic production facility for the assembly and manufacturing of the GE-STOL airframe. The company has previously announced plans to invest a total of 750 billion won in the UAV business, including 300 billion won secured through a paid-in capital increase.
The GE-STOL is an upgraded version of the existing Gray Eagle, featuring short take-off and landing capabilities. Unlike other UAVs in its class that require runways longer than 1 kilometer, the GE-STOL can take off and land with only about 100 meters of runway, making it operable from environments such as short-deck ships, rough terrain, beaches, and parking lots. In November last year, it successfully completed a take-off test from the deck of the ROK Navy’s amphibious assault ship Dokdo, which is smaller than typical aircraft carriers. The GE-STOL can also be equipped with up to 16 Hellfire missiles and is capable of counter-UAV operations, electronic warfare, and anti-submarine warfare missions.
GA-ASI projects that procurement demand for such UAVs will reach approximately 15 trillion won over the next decade. Currently, NATO allies, Japan, and Australia are operating GA-ASI UAVs. The United States Forces Korea also operate the Gray Eagle UAV, meaning that if adopted by the South Korean military, it could contribute to joint operations between the two countries.
Son Jaeil, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, stated, "By jointly producing the GE-STOL, Korea and the United States will create jobs and strengthen the aerospace industry ecosystem. Hanwha is ready to become a comprehensive UAV company, leveraging its technological capabilities in fighter jet engines, radar, and avionics."
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