Northrop Grumman Unveils Cutting-Edge Hybrid Electric X-Plane for DARPA’s Future Skies

Northrop Grumman Corporation has unveiled the development and engineering of the Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) system.

The uncrewed aerial vehicle created for DARPA has recently attained its official X-plane classification of XRQ-73.

Developed in partnership with Scaled Composites, a Northrop Grumman subsidiary, the XRQ-73 SHEPARD is part of DARPA’s “X-prime” initiative, utilizing hybrid electric technology and components to swiftly advance a new mission-centric aircraft design with propulsion systems and power specifications suitable for the Department of Defense.