# Northrop Grumman YFQ-48A Talon Blue flight testing > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/northrop-grumman-yfq-48a-talon-blue-flight-testing > Updated: 2026-10-05T21:00:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2. Northrop Grumman has completed the first fully autonomous flight of its YFQ-48A Talon Blue prototype in Mojave, California. The test flight successfully demonstrated end-to-end autonomy, including taxiing, takeoff, in-flight maneuvers, and landing. Developed under Project Talon, the Talon Blue is a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) designed to function as a “Loyal Wingman” alongside manned fighters like the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor. The platform is intended to serve as a multi-mission force multiplier capable of reconnaissance, electronic warfare, target designation, and missile deployment in contested airspace. To facilitate rapid production and meet military demand, the aircraft utilizes a modular design and advanced manufacturing techniques. These design choices aim to reduce component counts, decrease weight by 50%, and shorten manufacturing timelines by 30% compared to traditional platforms. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-05: Northrop Grumman completes first autonomous flight of YFQ-48A Talon Blue Northrop Grumman's YFQ-48A Talon Blue completed its first fully autonomous flight in California, testing end-to-end capabilities from taxiing to landing for future collaborative combat missions. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/northrop-grumman-completes-first-autonomous-flight-of-yfq-48a-talon-blue-1 ### 2026-10-03: Northrop Grumman completes first autonomous flight of YFQ-48A Talon Blue Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue completed its first fully autonomous flight in Mojave, California, marking a milestone for its modular, low-cost Collaborative Combat Aircraft project. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/northrop-grumman-completes-first-autonomous-flight-of-yfq-48a-talon-blue --- Cite as: Northrop Grumman YFQ-48A Talon Blue flight testing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/northrop-grumman-yfq-48a-talon-blue-flight-testing