Seoul: The Navy has achieved a significant milestone by successfully flying a fixed-wing drone from a Navy vessel for the first time, officials announced Wednesday. This development is part of ongoing efforts to enhance technology for unmanned aerial vehicles, which are increasingly pivotal in modern warfare. According to Yonhap News Agency, the test took place the previous day and involved a prototype of the Mojave drone, developed by U.S. firm General Atomics Aeronautical System Inc. The drone launched from the 14,000-ton ROKS Dokdo and operated over the waters of the East Sea, maintaining communication with both the vessel and the Naval Air Command. The Mojave drone, capable of short take-off and landing (STOL), can depart from runways measuring 70 to 90 meters. It measures 9 meters in length and 16 meters in width and can reach altitudes of up to 10,000 feet, or approximately 3 kilometers, with a maximum airspeed of 140 knots. After a flight duration of about one hour, the drone successfully landed on a runway at the Naval Air Command in Pohang, located 273 kilometers southeast of Seoul, as confirmed by the Navy. Tuesday's test marked the first instance of a fixed-wing drone being launched from a flight deck on a Navy vessel. This initiative aims to enhance the integration and operation of both manned and unmanned military equipment. The fixed-wing drone offers advantages over rotorcraft drones, such as faster flight speeds and the ability to maneuver over larger areas, making it an effective tool for maritime operations. However, the need for runways has previously limited its deployment. The Mojave prototype was assembled on the ROKS Dokdo and underwent a week of trial testing prior to Tuesday's demonstration flight, as reported by the Navy.