Hanwha Aerospace to join GA-ASI in addressing the global UAV market

US unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) and South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace have agreed to collaborate on the development and production of UAVs for the global defence market, GA-ASI announced on 8 April 2025.

The joint effort follows the successful completion of a major flight demonstration in November 2024 when the two companies launched a GA-ASI MQ-1C Gray Eagle STOL (short take-off and landing) UAV from the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) amphibious landing ship ROKS Dokdo (LPH-6111) as it was underway at sea off the coast of Pohang, South Korea.

The Gray Eagle STOL is the only medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV with the ability to operate without a catapult or arresting gear from fight deck-equipped warships such as amphibious ships and aircraft carriers. It additionally enables true runway independence by operating from unimproved fields and makeshift runways.

The 2024 Gray Eagle STOL demonstration with the ROKN paved the way for GA-ASI and Hanwha to sign their new agreement to jointly invest in and pursue new UAV business opportunities.

Hanwha Aerospace produces numerous defence systems but does not currently have a UAV portfolio. However, the company plans to invest more than KRW 300 billion (EUR 0.18 billion) in development and production facilities for Gray Eagle STOL and other UAV engines, to expand research and development activities, and to provide production infrastructure in both South Korea and with GA-ASI in the United States. This is in addition to GA-ASI’s past and ongoing investment in UAV STOL development.

Hanwha also plans to create jobs by securing talent in related fields and to foster the domestic South Korean UAV industry ecosystem by discovering domestic parts and material partner companies. GA-ASI expects the endeavour to create nearly 10,000 jobs based upon the expected sales and support over the next 10 years, as well as at least 500 jobs in the United States.

“We’re excited to extend and deepen our business relationship with Hanwha,” GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue, who supervised the November at-sea demonstration, was quoted as saying in a GA-ASI press release. “Our test flight with Gray Eagle STOL was well received by the Republic of Korea Navy and we know Hanwha is ready to invest to grow a UAS business with GA-ASI both in Korea and the US.”

“Hanwha Aerospace views unmanned systems as a strategic pillar for the future of defence,” added Dong Kwan Kim, vice chairman of Hanwha Group. “Through our collaboration with GA-ASI, we aim to strengthen sovereign defence capabilities, expand Korea’s presence in the global UAS market and contribute to a more robust ROK-US alliance.”