Meet Northrop’s New XRQ-73 ultra-quiet, high efficiency reconnaissance aircraft

Northrop Grumman has announced the design and construction of the Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) also known as the XRQ-73. The first flight of the XRQ-73 is expected to take place by the end of 2024. The XRQ-73 is intended to be an ultra-quiet, high-efficiency reconnaissance drone requiring both stealth and endurance for long flight times.