Northrop Grumman completes first autonomous flight of YFQ-48A Talon Blue

Northrop Grumman has announced the successful first fully autonomous flight of its YFQ-48A Talon Blue prototype in Mojave, California. The test included taxiing, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers, and landing.

Part of the internally funded Project Talon, the Talon Blue is a Collaborative Combat Aircraft designed to support manned fighters. The aircraft features a modular design and advanced manufacturing techniques intended to reduce part counts and weight, thereby lowering costs and accelerating production speeds to meet military demand.

Key design elements include a high air intake, a wide wheelbase, and an integrated internal weapons bay to support diverse mission requirements for the United States and its allies. The project leverages Northrop Grumman’s extensive history in autonomy, citing over 500,000 accumulated autonomous flight hours.