Hanwha Aerospace is accelerating its entry into the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market through a partnership with a major U.S. defense company.

The company said on October 15 that it had signed a joint development agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA) to develop the Gray Eagle Short Takeoff and Landing (GE-STOL) drone. The signing took place on October 14 (local time) at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) defense exhibition in Washington, D.C.

The GE-STOL is a variant of GA’s Gray Eagle UAV equipped with short takeoff and landing capabilities. While most drones of similar size require runways longer than one kilometer, the GE-STOL aims to take off and land using runways as short as 100 meters. This will enable deployment from small naval decks, rough terrain, beaches, or even parking lots, expanding its operational flexibility.

Under the agreement, the two companies plan to complete development of a prototype GE-STOL by 2027 and deliver the first units to customers the following year. GA, leveraging its extensive experience in UAV development, will oversee system design, while Hanwha Aerospace will supply the engine and landing gear and Hanwha Systems will provide the avionics equipment.

The GE-STOL marks Hanwha Aerospace’s first drone development project. GA projects that demand for the aircraft could reach 15 trillion won over the next decade. The U.S., the U.K., and other NATO allies, as well as Japan and Australia, currently operate GA’s UAV systems.

Hanwha Aerospace noted that the U.S. Forces Korea also operate the Gray Eagle, suggesting that if the Korean military adopts the GE-STOL, it could enhance interoperability and joint operational capabilities between the two forces.

Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il said, “By jointly producing the GE-STOL, Korea and the U.S. will create high-tech jobs and strengthen the aerospace industry ecosystem.” He added, “With our technological expertise spanning fighter jet engines, radar systems, and avionics, Hanwha is ready to grow into a comprehensive unmanned aviation company.”