XRQ-73 SHEPARD
Demonstrator
The XRQ-73 SHEPARD is a hybrid-electric experimental unmanned aircraft developed under DARPA's Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) programme, led by Northrop Grumman. Developed in collaboration with DARPA and the Air Force Research Laboratory, the aircraft flew at Edwards Air Force Base in April 2026.
The programme is intended to mature system integration and flight-test knowledge for military hybrid-electric propulsion rather than field an operational UAV directly. Public information released by DARPA and Northrop Grumman confirms that it is a Group 3 X-plane demonstrator weighing about 1,250 lb. Range, endurance, payload and precise dimensions have not been publicly disclosed.
Systems
- •Propulsion System (Series Hybrid-Electric)
- •System Architecture (X-plane Technology Demonstrator)
Sensors
No public details are available.
Compatible weapons
No public details are available.