This article is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, part of Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), and is complimentary through May 24, 2024. For information on becoming an AWIN Member to access more content like this, click here.
Strafing ground targets is normally a capability exercised by human pilots, but now a large U.S.-made uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) has demonstrated the capability.
The Mojave short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing version of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) MQ-1C Gray Eagle strafed a “variety” of ground targets during a recent self-funded test, the San Diego-based company said on April 23, on the eve of the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual’s convention, also known as Quad-A.
During the test on Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, the Mojave carried a pair of Dillon Aero DAP-6 gun pod systems, each a six-barrel, 7.62-mm weapon capable of firing 3,000 rounds a minute. The Mojave expended a total of 10,000 rounds on seven passes.
“Seeing our Mojave perform this live-fire demo really emphasizes the versatility of the Mojave UAS and what it can do,” said GA-ASI President David Alexander.
The strafing demonstration followed a long series of overtures by GA-ASI to attract additional sales of the MQ-1C, or a variant, to the Army and Special Operations Forces. The Mojave was unveiled in 2021 with the ability to operate on small dirt strips with the intent to soften the difference between a runway-dependent fixed-wing aircraft and a rotorcraft.
“Mojave has the ability to act as a sensor, shooter and sustainer while mitigating threat environments and vulnerabilities and safeguarding human lives,” Anderson added.
The test was conducted shortly after the Army canceled plans to develop a Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft, diverting the funding partly to UAS, and launching means to carry out some of the armed scout role.
Related Content
