In a move signaling a significant shift in the future of unmanned aerial systems, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) a $99.3 million contract to develop a cutting-edge hybrid-electric propulsion ducted fan drone, codenamed GHOST. Short for “hybrid-electric propulsion ducted fan next-generation intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance/strike unmanned aerial system,” the GHOST program aims to redefine the standards of endurance, stealth, and efficiency in the skies.
Filed under a cost-plus-fixed-fee agreement, the GHOST contract will fund research and development through August 2028. The AFRL, based at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, described the contract as a means to “provide capabilities across a spectrum of contested environments.” With $26.9 million of fiscal 2024 research and development funding already obligated, the sole-source nature of the deal underscores AFRL’s confidence in General Atomics’ unparalleled track record in unmanned systems innovation.
At its core, GHOST is a stealthy, hybrid-electric drone with ducted fan propulsion, designed to perform long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and strike missions—especially in contested or denied airspace. A propulsion system of this kind offers the trifecta of military drone capabilities: fuel efficiency, low acoustic and infrared signatures, and extended operational range. These attributes make it a formidable asset for operations where silence and stamina matter most.
Although specific design details remain classified, the hints provided by General Atomics suggest a synthesis of cutting-edge aerodynamics, low-observable technologies, and next-gen propulsion systems. The promise? A drone that might stay airborne for up to 60 hours and carry out both surveillance and strike missions—silently and unseen.
For over three decades, General Atomics has been at the forefront of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. From pioneering satellite-controlled drones to arming UAVs for kinetic strikes and automating takeoff and landing processes, GA-ASI has led a silent revolution in drone warfare.
Now, the company’s focus has shifted toward building the third generation of unmanned jets. Notably, the YFQ-42A, developed under the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, emerged from the experimental XQ-67A and the once-classified Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program. This stealthy lineage includes the Avenger drone and directly feeds into the philosophy behind GHOST.
“We’ve been promising something impressive related to hybrid-electric propulsion, and now I can’t talk about it anymore,” said C. Mark Brinkley, spokesperson for General Atomics. “That’s how it goes with these things. Contrary to what you see on the news, the revolution won’t be televised.”
Hybrid-electric propulsion combines the power of internal combustion engines with electric motors. By using batteries of varying capacities, such systems can optimize fuel usage while dramatically reducing both thermal and acoustic footprints. Add ducted fans into the equation, and you enhance performance, reduce noise, and increase the stealth factor.
GA-ASI has not been shy about its aspirations. As early as 2022, company executives were openly discussing their ambitions to create a hybrid-electric aircraft that merges the performance of a Tesla Model S with the stealth of an RQ-170 Sentinel.
“This is a low-pressure ratio fan, so it’s a little tricky,” explained Dave Alexander, GA-ASI President, in a 2022 interview with Breaking Defense. “But we believe once we nail this, get the thrust out of it and installed weight, then that’ll drive that aircraft to new lengths.”
The aircraft in question, nicknamed MQ-Next, was envisioned as a successor to the battle-hardened MQ-9 Reaper. It’s designed for long-endurance ISR over contested areas like the South China Sea and capable of taking off from 3,000-foot rough airstrips—a nod to the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy.
GA-ASI’s Gambit drone family offers clues to the form and function of GHOST. The Gambit 4 variant, in particular, matches GHOST’s described capabilities. It is a stealthy, flying wing-type design built around a common modular chassis that integrates landing gear, mission systems, and flight controls.
Aviation Week reported in 2023 that Gambit 4 would feature an eight-cylinder diesel engine distinct from the MQ-1C’s Heavy Fuel Engine 2.0, providing electricity to drive its propulsion fans. This design enables extreme operational flexibility and further underlines General Atomics’ push toward a plug-and-play drone ecosystem tailored to mission needs.
The GHOST drone’s anticipated strike capabilities make it more than just a scout. Unlike surveillance-only drones, GHOST is expected to carry munitions for hitting high-value or time-sensitive targets—without the need for human pilots to be in the loop. In scenarios where rapid decision-making and action are critical, such an ability could tip the tactical balance.
From Yemen to Ukraine, the utility of drones capable of ISR and strike roles has been repeatedly proven. However, as seen with several MQ-9 Reapers recently lost to Iranian-backed Houthi forces, even capable drones can fall prey to relatively unsophisticated threats. GHOST is envisioned to overcome these vulnerabilities through superior stealth, range, and autonomy.
The GHOST initiative is not happening in isolation. Parallel developments, like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD), are also exploring ultra-efficient, whisper-quiet UAVs.
Northrop Grumman’s subsidiary, Scaled Composites, is currently working on the XRQ-73 under SHEPARD. This effort builds on earlier classified projects such as XRQ-72A, a product of the Great Horned Owl (GHO) initiative, which AFRL and the Intelligence Community collaborated on in the early 2000s. The XRQ-72A also featured ducted fan hybrid propulsion.
These programs reflect a growing recognition within both the military and intelligence communities that next-generation conflict demands next-generation platforms—ones that can loiter unnoticed, gather actionable intelligence, and strike when required, all while minimizing exposure to adversary defenses.
Despite its promise, GHOST is not without challenges. Low-pressure ratio fans require precise engineering to avoid performance losses, and integrating hybrid systems demands a delicate balance of weight, power, and thermal management. Stealth further complicates these issues, as every component must be designed with radar cross-section minimization in mind.
Moreover, the success of GHOST depends on overcoming the logistical, doctrinal, and political hurdles associated with deploying new classes of UAVs. These include pilot training, data integration, maintenance protocols, and rules of engagement—each as complex as the technology itself.
Still, the trajectory seems clear. The AFRL’s backing, General Atomics’ experience, and growing strategic demands suggest GHOST is not just another tech demo but a harbinger of the next frontier in unmanned warfare.
As the global battlefield grows increasingly digitized and contested, the need for low-observable, long-endurance, and multi-role drones has never been more acute. GHOST represents not just a leap in drone capability, but a shift in how airpower will be projected in future conflicts.
