General Atomics Designing Long-Range Stealth ‘GHOST’ Recon Drone

• General Atomics is developing the "GHOST," a long-range, stealthy, autonomous flying-wing drone with hybrid-electric propulsion for the U.S. Air Force, aiming to provide next-generation intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities.

• The GHOST project, funded under a $99.3 million contract awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, targets ultra-long endurance—potentially tripling the range of current drones like the MQ-9 Reaper—using a highly efficient ducted fan engine combining diesel fuel and electric power.

• The drone is expected to help replace aging platforms like the U-2 and RQ-4 Global Hawk, adding a kinetic strike mission capability that previous reconnaissance drones lacked, and is part of broader efforts to improve persistent battlespace awareness with quieter, more efficient propulsion systems.

https://www.airandspaceforces.com/general-atomics-designing-long-range-stealth-ghost-recon-drone/