**GE-STOL Joint Development Agreement Signed
First Delivery to Purchasing Countries Scheduled for 2028
“Job Creation and Strengthening of Aviation Ecosystem”**
Hanwha Aerospace teams up with global UAV specialist, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), to enter the global UAV market.
On the 15th, Hanwha Aerospace announced that they signed a joint development agreement with GA-ASI for the Gray Eagle-STOL (GE-STOL), a short take-off and landing UAV, at the AUSA defense exhibition held in Washington, D.C., on the 14th (local time). The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Sun, Head of Hanwha Aerospace’s Aviation Division, and David Alexander, President of GA-ASI, among others.
Under this agreement, both companies will develop one prototype of the GE-STOL for its maiden flight in 2027, and cooperate in production and marketing to make 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 plans to establish domestic production facilities for the assembly and production of the GE-STOL aircraft. This initiative is part of a plan to invest a total of 750 billion KRW in the UAV business, which includes 300 billion KRW secured through a capital increase.
The GE-STOL is an enhanced version of the Gray Eagle, equipped with short take-off and landing capabilities. Unlike similar UAVs that typically require runways over 1 kilometer, it can take off and land on runways as short as 100 meters, allowing it to operate in environments with shortened decks, fields, beaches, and parking lots. In November last year, it underwent a take-off test from the deck of South Korea’s Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship, which is smaller than a conventional aircraft carrier. It can be armed with up to 16 Hellfire missiles and conduct operations against UAVs, electronic warfare, and anti-submarine warfare.
GA-ASI anticipates a demand worth 15 trillion KRW for the GE-STOL from purchasing countries over the next decade. Their UAVs are already operated by NATO allies such as the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as Japan and Australia. The U.S. Forces Korea also operates the Gray Eagle UAV, which can contribute to combined operations if acquired by the South Korean military.
Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, stated, “The joint production of the GE-STOL by Korea and the United States will create related jobs and strengthen the aviation industry ecosystem,” adding, “Hanwha is ready to become a comprehensive unmanned aviation company, leveraging its technological capabilities in fighter jet engines, radars, and avionics.” David Alexander, President of GA-ASI, commented, “We will work together to establish development and production capabilities in Korea.”