GA-ASI’s Mojave unmanned system performs novel test firing with miniguns

In a rather unprecedented test fire for such unmanned aerial systems, which typically deploy smart weapons such as light-weight bombs and missiles (excluding smaller drones that drop grenades and mortars on target), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully integrated a pair of gatling gun pods, which give the Mojave the capability to perform strafing missions against soft targets and enemy troops.

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GA-ASI partnered with Dillon Aero to mount two of Dillon’s DAP-6 Gun Pod systems on the Mojave aircraft. Mojave made seven passes over two flights during the demonstration, expending about 10,000 rounds of ammunition as the UAS shredded a variety of static targets.

The integration of the minigun pods showcases the Mojave’s firepower and versatility to engage various types of soft targets in direct fire capability in close air support (CAS) missions.

“Seeing our Mojave perform this live-fire demonstration really underscores the versatility of the Mojave UAS and what it can do,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

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Mojave and its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability have garnered a great deal of interest in the military and aerospace communities. Mojave is unique: a UAS with significant payload capability that can operate in areas previously considered unsuitable for UAS operations. Its ability to perform short takeoffs and landings on unprepared runways, as well as its potential deployment aboard ships with runways such as aircraft carriers and helicopter carriers-as it did in November 2023 in a demonstration with the UK Royal Navy-is expanding the range of possibilities for the use of large unmanned aerial systems.

See also: General Atomics develops a big-deck naval version of the MQ-9B

The innovative live-fire demonstration took place at Yuma Proving Ground (Arizona) on April 13 and was funded by the company.