Northrop Grumman Advances Autonomous Flight with SHEPARD Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

On May 6, 2026, Northrop Grumman announced it has begun flight testing of the XRQ-73 SHEPARD uncrewed aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base in support of DARPA’s Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration program.

Powered by a hybrid-electric propulsion system, the XRQ-73 boosts fuel efficiency and operational flexibility while reducing emissions. This architecture supports mixed-fuel concepts, unlocking new mission profiles for lightweight autonomous aircraft.