DARPA hybrid-electric UAV takes off from Edwards

The remotely piloted SHEPARD demonstrator completed its April flight at Edwards Air Force Base as propulsion research continued.

Scaled Composites has completed a flight of the XRQ-73 Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) vehicle in collaboration with DARPA and Northrop Grumman, advancing work on hybrid-electric propulsion systems for future aircraft.

Conducted in April 2026 at Edwards Air Force Base in California, the remotely piloted flight demonstrated the flying-wing Group 3 UAV’s hybrid-electric propulsion architecture and autonomous systems integration. Scaled Composites test pilot Dr Mike McLean operated the aircraft remotely during the sortie.

The SHEPARD programme combines Scaled Composites’ rapid prototyping and flight-test capabilities with Northrop Grumman’s aerospace design and autonomy expertise as part of DARPA-backed research into next-generation aircraft technologies.

According to the companies, the programme is intended to mature hybrid-electric propulsion architectures capable of improving fuel efficiency, lowering emissions and increasing operational flexibility for future platforms.