The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded General Atomics a $100 million contract to develop a new generation drone with hybrid-electric propulsion and ducted fan.

The project, called GHOST, aims to develop an unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike (ISR/strike) missions in contested environments, equipped with a new-generation propulsion system capable of offering high efficiency and long endurance, potentially up to 60 hours, while ensuring low acoustic and infrared signatures.

Added to these features is a stealth design based on an flying-wing aerodynamic configuration, somewhat reminiscent of the MQ-NEXT, the concept on which the company is working to develop the successor to the MQ-9 REAPER.

The contract calls for the development of the GHOST by 2028.

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