Meet the Mojave: The UAV That’s Changing the Game
On April 13, 2024, something pretty awesome happened at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The Mojave, a drone packed with miniguns, shredded its targets in a live-fire test that was nothing short of a blockbuster action scene. This wasn’t just any old test. It was a major breakthrough by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) who teamed up with Dillon Aero to arm this beast with dual Dillon DAP-6 Gun Pod Systems, each loaded with a 7.62 mm M134 Hybrid Gatling Gun. The Mojave buzzed through the sky, making seven passes and unloading about 10,000 rounds, hitting its marks like a pro.
What Went Down During the Test
This live-fire event wasn’t just to show off the Mojave’s firepower; it was about demonstrating its cutting-edge capabilities. Funded by GA-ASI’s own pockets, this was the first time they’ve pulled off something of this scale. And let me tell you, the Mojave nailed it, reinforcing its reputation as a triple threat — acting as a sensor, shooter, and guardian all rolled into one. The best part? It does all this while keeping human pilots out of harm’s way.
Why the Mojave is Such a Big Deal
Launched back in 2021, the Mojave is not your average drone. It’s designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings, kind of like a helicopter, which means it doesn’t need a runway to get going. This feature alone opens up a lot of possibilities for where and how it can be used. It sports oversized wings for better lift and beefed-up landing gear to handle rough spots that might be too tough for other UAVs.
The specs? It’s a big one — at 9 meters long with a 17-meter wingspan and tipping the scales at over 1.5 tons. Powered by a Rolls-Royce M250 turboprop engine, this UAV is built for heavy-duty tasks while being nimble enough to take off and land just about anywhere.
Packed with Tech and Ready for Action
The Mojave isn’t just muscle; it’s got brains too. It can carry a slew of high-tech sensors for various missions over land or sea. Though its exact flight time is a bit of a secret, reports suggest it can stay up there for over 25 hours. Plus, it’s easy to move around. You can break it down, pack it into a C-130 Hercules, and have it mission-ready in about an hour and a half with just four people.
And weapons? Oh, it’s got them. From the Gatling guns in the recent tests to potential loads of air-to-ground missiles like the AGM-179 JAGM and AGM-114 Hellfires, it can carry a serious payload. We’re talking up to 16 Hellfires at once!
What’s Next for the Mojave?
This isn’t just about blowing stuff up. The Mojave’s recent demo lines up perfectly with GA-ASI’s pitch to the US Army, especially after they wrapped up their Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) initiative. Looking ahead, there’s talk of outfitting the Mojave with a resupply pod that could haul 1,000 pounds (450 kg) of gear over 310 miles (500 km).
Bottom Line
The Mojave is more than just a UAV — it’s the future of combat, recon, and support, all without putting pilots at risk. It’s cheaper to run and can switch targets in a snap compared to more traditional, high-cost precision weapons. Plus, it’s proof that drones are set to take a front seat in modern warfare.
So, here’s to the Mojave — flying high, hitting hard, and maybe just changing the way battles are fought. Here’s looking forward to seeing this drone do more incredible things in the future!
