General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) conducted a successful live-fire gun pod testing using its Mojave Unmanned Aircraft System or UAS on April 13, 2024, at the US Army Yuma Proving Ground.
In collaboration with Dillon Aero, GA-ASI equipped the Mojave UAS with two DAP-6 Gun Pod Systems. These pods mounted under the wings contain an M134 “Minigun” rotary machine gun with a 3,000-round magazine capacity. Over seven passes across two flights, the Mojave fired about 10,000 rounds of ammunition, destroying a variety of targets.
“Seeing our Mojave perform this live-fire demo really emphasizes the versatility of the Mojave UAS and what it can do,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Mojave has the ability to act as a sensor, shooter, and sustainer while mitigating threat environments and vulnerabilities and safeguarding human lives.”
According to the manufacturer, the Mojave’s STOL capability enables it to access areas previously deemed unsuitable for UAS operations. In November 2023, the demonstrator aircraft landed and took off from the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier.
GA-ASI plans to make a gun pod option available for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle and the larger MQ-9B UAS family, including both SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models.