General Atomics to Develop Next-Gen GHOST ISR/Strike Drones for US

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has clinched a $99.3-million contract to develop next-generation drones for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions for the US.

Although specific capabilities and design details remain classified, the GHOST program’s key highlight was a “hybrid-electric propulsion ducted fan,” suggesting that the drone under development will have extended endurance and ultra-quiet operations in contested areas. 

GHOST is expected to be completed by August 2028, with work conducted in Poway, California.

Company president Dave Alexander and VP of Advanced Programs Mike Atwood previously told Breaking Defense about work underway for hybrid-electric propulsion technology in late 2022. 

At the time, executives said the tech was planned for integration into the fourth GA-ASI Gambit series model: a tailless flying wing combat reconnaissance-focused aircraft designed for long-endurance missions.

In addition, it was also being considered to move forward with MQ-Next, the MQ-9 Reaper’s replacement, amid news of the Reaper being “legacy-ed out” as US forces require an aircraft with greater survivability and endurance longer than the MQ-9 at around 30 hours. 

The “disruptive technology” is designed to provide the drones with 60 hours of endurance, which can help “cover the South China Sea,” and the ability to take off from a 3,000-foot (914 meters) rough runway, according to Alexander.