A Mojave drone prototype takes off from ROKS Dokdo, in this photo provided by the Navy, Nov. 13. Yonhap

The Navy has successfully flown a fixed-wing drone from a Navy vessel for the first time, officials said Wednesday, as part of efforts to advance technology for unmanned aerial vehicles that have increasingly become important in modern warfare.

In the test conducted the previous day, a prototype of the Mojave drone, developed by U.S. firm General Atomics Aeronautical System, took off from the 14,000-ton ROKS Dokdo and flew over waters above the East Sea while maintaining communications with the vessel and the Naval Air Command, according to the Navy.

The short take-off and landing (STOL) drone, which can take off from a runway of 70 to 90 meters, measures 9 meters in length and 16 meters in width. It can fly as high as 10,000 feet, approximately 3 kilometers, at a maximum air speed of 140 knots.

Following a flight that lasted around one hour, the drone safely landed on a runway at the Naval Air Command in Pohang, 273 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the Navy said.

Tuesday's test, the first such one involving a fixed-wing drone launched from a flight deck on a Navy vessel, came as part of efforts to better integrate and improve operations of manned and unmanned military equipment.

Compared with a rotorcraft drone, a fixed-wing drone can fly faster and maneuver over a wider area, making it an effective maritime weapon. But its usage has been limited as runways are required for takeoff.

The Mojave prototype was assembled on the ROKS Dokdo and underwent weeklong trial testing before Tuesday's demonstration flight, according to the Navy. (Yonhap)