DARPA’s XRQ-73 Newest X-plane. DARPA
The DARPA‘s XRQ-73 newest X-plane is a hybrid-electric uncrewed aircraft of the SHEPARD program.
The Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration program, or SHEPARD, has been officially designated as the XRQ-73.
SHEPARD, an “X-prime” initiative, uses a series of hybrid electric technology and components from the earlier AFRL/IARPA Great Horned Owl (GHO) project.
“The goal of a DARPA X-prime program is to advance emerging technologies and reduce integration risks to quickly develop a new long-endurance aircraft that can be deployed swiftly,” said Steve Komadina, SHEPARD program manager. “SHEPARD is refining a specific propulsion system to showcase its potential benefits for the Department of Defense.”
DARPA’s XRQ-73 Newest X-plane. DARPA
The DARPA team includes members from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and military personnel.
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Aeronautics Systems sector is the prime contractor for SHEPARD, with significant contributions from Scaled Composites, LLC, Cornerstone Research Group, Inc., Brayton Energy, LLC, PC Krause and Associates, and EaglePicher Technologies, LLC.
The XRQ-73, a Group 3 UAS, will weigh around 1,250 pounds and is expected to have its first flight by the end of 2024.
source DARPA
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