A new, more challenging operational environment means the U.S. Army must field platforms that generate strategic advantages while conducting missions from the tactical edge.
Today’s battlefield is contested across all domains. The proliferation of low-cost, effective systems, as well as high-tech munitions, long-range missiles, and advanced air defenses, means platforms must operate effectively in denied conditions without imposing unsustainable costs or maintenance demands.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) offers two aircraft tailored to the Army’s need to operate in this threat environment, with the flexibility to adapt as those needs evolve: the Mojave Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft and the Gray Eagle® 25M.
Although the aircraft share elements of the Gray Eagle family, they are optimized for different operational challenges.
Mojave STOL is designed to deliver expeditionary access from austere locations, while Gray Eagle 25M offers the endurance and range necessary for the Pacific theater, along with the payload capacity to support the Army’s multi-domain operations concept.
Bringing Aviation Closer to the Mission
Mojave STOL is designed for missions where runways are undesirable, unavailable, damaged, or vulnerable. Its STOL capability enables operations from unimproved surfaces, including roads and dirt tracks, as well as from amphibious vessels.
Runway independence expands commanders’ options in remote or contested areas. The aircraft can operate closer to distributed forces, take on fuel and munitions at austere locations, and return to the fight without relying on airfield infrastructure.
This approach reflects an enduring operational lesson: in demanding environments, rugged, reliable, and plentiful platforms can provide an advantage over systems that are more complex, expensive, or difficult to maintain.
Mojave STOL provides options for overwhelming mass at the right time and place while retaining key sensor and payload capabilities and supporting long-range, persistent mission profiles.
While modern electric and vertical-lift concepts offer tactical flexibility, their high unit costs, mechanical complexity, undetermined supply chain security, and maintenance burdens present challenges for sustained expeditionary operations driving cost, manpower, and risk.
Mojave STOL is built around a straightforward, time-tested aircraft, a proven design, and an established production and sustainment philosophy, enabling the flexibility to move with expeditionary forces while avoiding complex infrastructure demands.
Its ability to operate from smaller naval vessels also creates potential applications for maritime, contested logistics, and special operations missions.
Modernizing Gray Eagle for Contested Operations
Gray Eagle 25M is an extensively modernized version of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, designed to support long-endurance missions in complex threat environments. Its roles include persistent, real-time threat detection/identification and support for long-range targeting operations.
A central feature of the aircraft is its Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) architecture.
MOSA uses defined interfaces and modular components to help integrate new technologies more quickly and affordably. This open architecture approach is intended to help the Army respond to changing threats while reducing the time and cost associated with future upgrades.
Another significant improvement comes in the form of the expeditionary laptop-based ground control station and ground support equipment. This portable system eliminates the need for large, containerized GCS satellite systems, transport vehicles, and ground support equipment, reducing equipment weight by 130,000 pounds per platoon.
Combined with the new, more powerful turbo-diesel Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) 2.0, these improvements reduce field service representative and soldier workload while increasing maintenance-free operational periods, with a sustainment cost savings of roughly $200 million annually.
The EagleEye® multi-mode radar, for example, is designed to provide substantially greater range than legacy systems, with an increase of up to five times.
Together, these capabilities support Gray Eagle 25M’s mission to maintain persistent awareness and contribute to decision-making in high-threat environments.
Complementary Aircraft for the Army
The two aircraft offer the Army a complementary range of capabilities.
Mojave STOL is optimized for expeditionary access, operational flexibility, and runway-independent operations in regions such as the Indo-Pacific, where forces cannot count on reliable access to paved runways.
Gray Eagle 25M is optimized for endurance, sensing, processing, and survivability in contested environments. Its advanced sensor suite, combined with tactics refined through millions of hours of combat operations by Gray Eagle and other GA-ASI aircraft, enables the platform to operate over long distances and remain effective in high-threat conditions.
Both aircraft are designed to evolve as threats and mission requirements change.
Gray Eagle 25M and Mojave’s open architecture support the integration of new capabilities, helping maintain relevance across different areas of operation. What’s more, they cover the full breadth of conflict, from peacetime to large-scale combat operations, with adaptable, responsive, critical capability.
Mojave STOL can likewise accommodate expanded payload options, including electronic warfare systems and air-launched effects.
Investing in Scalable Capability
GA-ASI has made manufacturing and engineering investments intended to support continued modernization and larger-scale production.
Collaboration with Hanwha Aerospace is expanding production facilities and research and development activities, helping create the infrastructure needed to support scalable output.
The partnership is aimed at advancing Mojave STOL’s capabilities while supporting more affordable production. That means the Army will not necessarily have to choose between capability and mass.
In addition, GA-ASI’s existing millions of square feet of manufacturing infrastructure, skilled in-house workforce, and available capacity position the company to begin building and delivering aircraft today.
By choosing Gray Eagle 25M and Mojave STOL, the Army would be investing in mature, adaptable capabilities designed for rapid delivery and scalable employment.
Visitors to GA-ASI’s Booth 6619 at the Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition can discuss with experts how these systems are prepared to support Army operations in today’s high-threat environments and adapt to the challenges ahead.
PHOTOS: AUSA 2026
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