DARPA / Northrop Grumman XRQ-73 Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD)

[quellish]

Indeed, so I guess it's pretty logical.

Yeah, I'm the one who uncovered that obscure type!

Indeed you were!

I didn't know the LHO was also related to Scaled, but again, I guess it's logical. Thanks!

LHO is buried in the UAV/UCAV thread

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/us-uav-and-ucav-technology.1885/page-19#post-610465

 

[Scott Kenny]

It's a pretty good bet that any one-off prototype from "Northrop" actually came out of the Scaled Composites workshops.

 

[red admiral]

Not sure if the Scaled Composites connection was mentioned here before. If so, I don't recall it:

Scaled is also listed as one of the suppliers on DARPA's page for the program

 

[Stargazer]

It's a pretty good bet that any one-off prototype from "Northrop" actually came out of the Scaled Composites workshops.

I think you're right! ;-)

 

[Hydroman]

It's a pretty good bet that any one-off prototype from "Northrop" actually came out of the Scaled Composites workshops.

Yes SK, Scaled is Northrop's mini Skunk Works for advanced design and demonstrator/prototype manufacturing and fabrication.

 

[Sferrin]

...

 

[flateric]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Gq8x45ykF/
https://www.darpa.mil/news/2026/darpa-xrq-73-demonstrates-hybrid-electric-flight

 

[Forest Green]

DARPA’s XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Flying Wing Drone Has Flown​

https://www.twz.com/air/darpas-xrq-73-hybrid-electric-flying-wing-drone-has-flown

 

[lianliankan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2052306431131652551

View: https://x.com/lfx160219/status/2052306431131652551

 

[flateric]

Original video source
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nort...ic-uncrewed-activity-7457866782511505409-3VNG

 

[TomcatViP]

So Vespa engines can fly?! Where are the Carabinieri!