A new US military drone with hybrid-electric propulsion made its first flight in April ...

First flight milestone: The XRQ-73 flew in April 2026, marking a key step in testing hybrid-electric propulsion for military applications under DARPA’s SHEPARD program. Stealth and endurance: Its ...

The XRQ-73 is linked to Northrop’s earlier XRQ-72A project. Both aircraft feature a tailless, flying wing configuration akin ...

The XRQ-73, a 1,250-pound drone, uses a mix of electric and jet-fuel propulsion, which is supposed to make it much quieter ...

The Tactical Technology Office is seeking information to advance autonomous drone constellations for the US military. This Request for Information explores fully autonomous Group 1-3 drones and ...

About a year into the job, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency director Stephen Winchell is looking to reshape the agency’s space portfolio, arguing it must function less as a collection of high ...

After Hurricane Michael laid waste to Tyndall Air Force Base, DARPA turned to a common bivalve for assistance.

To spur innovation in transforming how much weight drones can carry, DARPA opens a competition to include everyone from big business to independent inventors ...

Lightweight fighter aircraft with no pilots could support conventional military missions while being easier to launch and recover. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate ...

Stealthy first flight: DARPA’s XRQ-73 hybrid-electric UAV flew for the first time in April 2026 at Edwards AFB, demonstrating military potential for hybrid propulsion. Design evolution: Since 2024, ...