Northrop Grumman Advances Defense with Next-gen Hybrid Electric Drone XRQ-73

Northrop Grumman Takes the Reins on Next-gen Hybrid Electric Drone

Northrop Grumman Corporation has reached a significant breakthrough in the defense sector, having embarked on the construction of a next-generation hybrid electric Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) - XRQ-73. This pioneering model deemed the Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration vehicle (SHEPARD), stimulated excitement when it received its official X-plane status from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The company has worked closely with its subsidiary, Scaled Composites, to drive the project.

The Manifestation of SHEPARD

SHEPARD creates a paradigm shift in aircraft engineering by ingeniously merging the AUD/IARPA Great Horned Owl (GHO) project's architecture and technologies. The model illustrates the power of DARPA’s X-prime initiative to convert emerging technology into manifold system-level integration, mitigating risks and fast-tracking new mission-aligned aircraft designs. SHEPARD also opens a gateway to comprehend potential defense benefits, as stated by the SHEPARD Program Manager, Steve Komadina.

In collaboration with other major service providers like Cornerstone Research Group, Inc., Brayton Energy, LLC, PC Krause, and Associates, EaglePicher Technologies, LLC, Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Aeronautics Systems is the leading contractor for the SHEPARD project. The Redondo Beach, CA sector, along with participants from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR), join efforts in this ambitious undertaking.

Looking into the Future of Stealth Aircraft

The XRQ-73 aircraft, being a potential Group 3 UAS, weighs approximately 1,250 pounds, promising exceptional performance as a stealth reconnaissance drone. This initiative also fuels questions on how it may influence future combat strategies. Echoing the sentiment of many defense experts, both the absence of heat and lowered radar signatures from SHEPARD suggest an improved stealth capability.

As the first flight of XRQ-73 is forecasted to take place by 2024, it certainly sets the benchmark for future hybrid electric stealth aircraft. While critics question the feasibility of electric aircraft, others applaud the venture for its environmental sustainability and potential revolutionary implications in the defense sector.