Northrop Grumman’s XRQ-73 drone has begun its first flight tests in the United States as part of a DARPA program focused on hybrid-electric propulsion technologies for lightweight autonomous aircraft.
The trials are being conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California, known for hosting experimental projects in U.S. military aviation.
The model uses a system that combines an engine powered by traditional fuel with electric energy, aiming to increase operational efficiency and reduce emissions. The proposal also seeks to offer greater mission flexibility and reduce the aircraft’s thermal and acoustic signature, features considered important for military drone operations.
The SHEPARD program is part of DARPA’s efforts to develop new propulsion solutions for unmanned systems. The agency believes hybrid-electric aircraft can combine the endurance of conventional engines with the advantages of electric systems, such as lower mechanical complexity and quieter operation.
Northrop Grumman highlighted its long experience in autonomous technologies, saying it has accumulated more than 500,000 hours of flight testing across different projects over the past decades. The XRQ-73 was designed specifically to meet the objectives of DARPA’s experimental program.
We’re moving closer to the future of next-gen military aircraft with hybrid-electric propulsion on the XRQ-73 and DARPA. https://t.co/oyvOO3s0Ar pic.twitter.com/HEFoYIiAWW
— Northrop Grumman (@NGCNews) May 6, 2026
Source and images: Northrop Grumman | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
