XRQ-73 SHEPARD Hybrid Electric X-Plane

Defining Possible in Next-Generation Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

military aircraft in hangar

Northrop Grumman Unveils Next-Gen Hybrid Electric Uncrewed X-Plane for DARPA

Northrop Grumman continues to define what’s possible in the air with the design and construction of the Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) demonstrator for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

SHEPARD, which is a Group 3 Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS), weighs in at about 1,250 pounds and leverages the series hybrid electric architecture and select component technologies from earlier projects.

SHEPARD Gains X-Plane Designation

SHEPARD recently received its X-plane designation of XRQ-73, joining DARPA’s roster of innovative experimental aircraft.

Built in collaboration with Scaled Composites, a Northrop Grumman subsidiary, the XRQ-73 SHEPARD is a DARPA "X-prime" program leveraging hybrid electric architecture and component technologies to quickly mature a new mission-focused aircraft design with propulsion architecture and power class for the Department of Defense.

military aircraft in hangar

Unmatched Leadership in Autonomous Solutions & Advanced Technologies

Northrop Grumman harnessed expertise in autonomous systems, advanced aircraft design and rapid prototyping to build the XRQ-73 SHEPARD Hybrid-Electric UAS X-Plane demonstrator, offering a unique opportunity to reinforce our industry leadership in emerging technologies and next-gen hybrid electric uncrewed aircraft systems, while preparing for SHEPARD’s first flight.

In the News

military aircraft in hangar

Northrop Grumman builds next-generation hybrid electric uncrewed X-plane for DARPA

Northrop Grumman Newsroom
AXIOS logo

Check it out: Northrop's new aircraft

Axios Future of Defense
aircraft inflight

Northrop completes Pentagon’s XRQ-73 experimental flying wing

 FlightGlobal
The War Zone XRQ-73 image

Our best look yet at the XRQ-73 hybrid-electric stealthy flying wing drone

 The War Zone
UAS Magazine Logo

Northrop Grumman builds next-generation hybrid electric uncrewed X-plane for DARPA

UAS Magazine
the aviationist logo

Northrop Grumman XRQ-73 SHEPARD Demonstrator Breaks Cover

The Aviationist

XRQ-73 SHEPARD Media Contact:

Lesa Smith
424-400-1342