Why the Mojave got dirty in the desert

The United States and its allies are preparing for a war where runways may not be an option. That doesn’t mean a flat stretch of dirt won’t do, though.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully tested its Mojave unmanned aerial system in early August. The rugged expeditionary drone completed several takeoffs and landings on a strip of dirt outside El Mirage, California.

If the Mojave looks familiar, it’s because it’s based on the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and the MQ-9 Reaper, both battle-proven weapons systems. The Mojave is not in full production, rather it’s a technical demonstrator showcasing its STOL, or short takeoff and landing ability.

GA-ASI Mojave STOL UAS completes first dirt operationhttps://t.co/6xdl5D2fhk#UAS #drones #UAV pic.twitter.com/1NA12rGsXE

— UAS Magazine (@UASMagazine) August 9, 2023

The Mojave is made to mix it up where other fixed-wing aircraft can’t. With a ruggedized airframe and landing gear, it holds up better operating from remote locations with less-than-ideal landing strips.

According to a release on GA-ASI’s website, “the ability to take off and land on unimproved surfaces demonstrates Mojave’s departure from traditional fixed-wing aircraft’s dependance on prepared runways. This new capability provides greater versatility and allows the aircraft to operate in areas previously deemed unsuitable for UAS operations.”

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The Mojave can also withstand the weather and its impacts to a greater degree, allowing for operation in what General Atomics calls “wider environmental windows.”

During flight tests in El Mirage, the Mojave took off in as little as 586 feet and landed in as little as 335 feet. But GA-ASI said the test was mostly about gathering terrain feedback. That means it’s possible the Mojave is capable of even shorter takeoffs and landings.

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Like the Reapers and Gray Eagles, the Mojave is loaded with sensors to gather intelligence. The 450-horsepower turbine engine can keep the Mojave in the air for more than 25 hours, giving its operator plenty of time to decide how to use its payload of up to 16 Hellfire missiles or equivalent munitions.

Since it’s designed to support expeditionary forces, the Mojave is made to be mobile. The entire thing can fit inside a single C-130. Once in theater, the Mojave can be put together and deployed quickly by a small crew using basic tools.

The military’s standard fixed-wing, rotary and vertical takeoff and landing aircraft certainly aren’t going to be replaced by the Mojave, but they could be augmented by it.

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The Mojave would be a handy tool for the Marine Corps’ littoral regiments in the Pacific, who have been tasked with turning small, remote islands into the first lines of defense against potential Chinese aggression.

“Mojave provides options for forward-basing operations without the need for typical airport runways or infrastructure, so it can be rapidly deployed from and recovered to non-traditional discrete locations,” General Atomics said.