SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) recently made headlines with a significant contract to supply 31 MQ-9B drones to the Indian Armed Forces. This deal, which allocates 15 of these advanced UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to the Indian Navy, strengthens India’s maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
However, GA-ASI is also promoting its innovative Mojave Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) as a potential carrier-capable UAV for the Indian Navy’s evolving requirements. The Mojave, a short takeoff and landing (STOL) demonstrator, was initially developed to operate from unprepared and compact landing sites but has potential applications in carrier-based environments.
The Mojave UAS shares several core systems with GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle model, including its avionics and propulsion systems. However, it stands out due to its specially designed STOL wing configuration, which allows it to operate from challenging terrains or confined spaces, which is a priority for the Indian Navy as it seeks to enhance UAV compatibility with its carriers. The Indian Navy’s specifications have called for STOL capability to allow for takeoff and landing from carriers or smaller vessels—a feature that could enable carrier-based UAV operations without the need for extensive launch and recovery equipment.
GA-ASI is also working on adapting an STOL wing option for the MQ-9B, which could allow this proven platform to operate in shorter runway conditions. The MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian variants, which form the backbone of GA-ASI’s UAV lineup, are capable of performing a wide array of missions, including:
- Maritime Surveillance
- Anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
- Airborne Early Warning (AEW)
- Surface Strike
Equipping the MQ-9B with an STOL capability would provide the Indian Navy with a versatile UAV capable of adapting to both land-based and maritime environments, including aircraft carrier operations. This versatility would make it feasible for the MQ-9B to be deployed on carriers alongside the Mojave, extending India’s operational reach across the Indian Ocean region.
India’s Ministry of Defence has recently been encouraging domestic companies to develop indigenous solutions for UAVs, including carrier-capable options. While domestic UAV production aligns with India’s Make in India initiative, GA-ASI’s offer of the Mojave and potentially an STOL-capable MQ-9B presents an opportunity for the Indian Navy to leverage a proven platform with a short development timeline.
If the Navy decides to explore GA-ASI’s Mojave and MQ-9B STOL models, the decision will hinge on balancing the advantages of proven technology with the strategic benefits of indigenous production. India’s push for self-reliance in defence could influence the decision, although Mojave’s capabilities present an immediate and reliable solution for short-term carrier-based UAV needs.
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