Following the take-off/landing test from UK Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier, Mojave which is called now Gray Eagle STOL took off from ROKS Dokdo LPH (LPH-6111).
The new test of Mojave stands out from the one from Royal Navy's HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier as ROKS Dokdo is an LPH type with a flat deck, whereas the former has a runway with a curve at the end for short take-off.
The Dokdo's deck is designed for helicopter landing, not for fixed-wing aircraft. Due to its inadequate deck width, Mojave made mock approaches to simulate a landing scenario. The Gray Eagle landed at Pohang Navy Airfield.
If ROKN becomes interested in the idea of operating UCAVs from its LPHs, a refit to widen the runway might come to the table, as this was the case for Japan. Japan reworked the runway in this direction to adapt its Izumo-class DDHs for F-35B STOVL fighters.
Turkiye also works on UCAVs for LHD/carrier-based operations with Bayraktar TB3 UCAV intended for TCG ANADOLU (L400) LHD. Recently, the UCAV performed nighttime approaches to the ship following a series of take-off tests from a mock runway. Bayraktar TB3 made its maiden flight near the end of 2023.
Alongside Bayraktar TB3, KIZILELMA unmanned fighter and ANKA-III stealth UCAV are being studied for use onboard the future MUGEM aircraft carrier.
