Northrop Grumman’s Vanguard Jet begins autonomous flight testing with AI in the Beacon program.

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Northrop Grumman Vanguard Jet Starts Autonomous Flight Tests with AI in the Beacon Program
Northrop Grumman Vanguard Jet Starts Autonomous Flight Tests with AI in the Beacon Program (X @shieldaitech)

The Model 437 Vanguard jet from Scaled Composites, adapted for the Beacon program by Northrop Grumman, conducted its first flight in autonomous flight test configuration.

The program aims to accelerate the application of autonomous flight software in aircraft, using the Vanguard as an optionally piloted platform to test new artificial intelligence technologies. The aircraft, which can carry up to 2,000 pounds of weapons and equipment, combines the safety of piloted flight with the ability to operate autonomously.

Beacon brings together Northrop Grumman and six defense tech companies — Applied Intuition, Autonodyne, Merlin Labs, Red 6, Shield AI, and SoarTech — in an open-access testbed ecosystem. The goal is to allow each partner to install and evaluate their own autonomous mission software on the modular base provided by Northrop Grumman.

The aircraft is designed to fly frequently, with multiple daily missions, and facilitates quick and cost-effective testing of technologies that would otherwise be inaccessible or too expensive.

The program’s goal is to validate autonomous flight software before incorporating it into future unmanned tactical jets, like those in the USAF CCA program, and reduce risks in the development of new aircraft. In addition to serving as a testing platform for startups and smaller companies, the Model 437 Vanguard helps overcome integration challenges between piloted and autonomous flight, creating a safe and flexible testing environment to accelerate innovation in autonomy and AI for military applications.

Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @shieldaitech | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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